It’s flu season again and no one knows what the impact of the fall flu season will be until we’re in the middle of it.  But how severe the flu becomes this fall will depend on how seriously each of us takes action to reduce the risk now.

Here are some recommendations to prevent the spread of this disease:

• Make it a routine to wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cough into your elbow or into a tissue, not in your hands.
• Stay home if you’re sick, and start planning now in the event that one of your kids gets the flu.
  • If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible.
  • If you are sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever or feverishness without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • And ask yourself these questions:
    • If you work, have you made arrangements for child care?
    • Have you talked with your employer about what to do in case you need to be out?
• If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care.
  • Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
• Get the vaccine when it’s available.  The first groups that the vaccine is recommended for are:
  • Pregnant women
  • Health care workers and emergency medical responders
  • People caring for infants under 6 months of age
  • Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years
  • People aged 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
• Please visit www.flu.gov if you would like more information.  The site provides guidance to prepare for, prevent, and respond to an outbreak.  It includes checklists and fact sheets that will help families and others make sure they are prepared.

Download the CDC Take 3 Poster