Good Health Habits for Prevention

Fact Sheet

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated
each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing
your hands often can help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.
There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Avoid close contact.

Avoid
close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your
distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.

If
possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs
are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated
with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

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About Seasonal Flu and What You Can So

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

What is Influenza (Also Called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at
times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some
people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain
health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of Flu

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of
chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

How Flu Spreads

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people
may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults
may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming
sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well
as while you are sick.

Preventing Seasonal Flu: Get Vaccinated

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.

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New Study on Healthy Food and Dementia

Fish, Fruits, Veggies May Cut Dementia Risk

Thu Nov 15, 11:44 PM ET

THURSDAY, Nov. 15 (HealthDay News) -- A diet that includes plenty
of fish, omega-3 rich oils, fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of
dementia and Alzheimer's disease, while high intake of omega-6 rich oils
may boost the risk of developing memory problems, say French researchers.

Read More

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