| Fall and winter
are peak seasons for viral illnesses such as flu, respiratory
infections and colds.
Flu can hit people hard, with an average of 36,000
deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each
year.
A flu shot is a very good way to help prevent getting
the flu. There are other important ways that you can
protect yourself and others from catching or spread
the flu or other illnesses:
GOOD HEALTH HABITS
- 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. Or cough or sneeze into your upper
sleeve, not your hands. It may prevent those around
you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from
germs. Or, cleans hands with an alcohol-based hand
cleaner.
- Clean Surfaces
Clean frequently touched hard surfaces such as door
knobs and phone hand sets with a 1:10 solution of
chlorine bleach to water or a commercial germicide
or viracide.
- 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.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Get rest, eat healthy foods and limit stress.
- Watch and help toddlers
Toddler age children (under 6 years) are most frequently
the "carrier" of the flu virus due to
their lack of hand hygiene.
Based on information from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
Always contact your personal physician
for questions about your health. If you are elderly
or have a chronic health condition, consult your medical
provider about pneumonia vaccine.
The following is a guide to determine whether you
have the flu or a cold:
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever |
Rare in adults and older children, but can be
as high as 102 degrees in infants and small children |
Usually 102 degrees F, but can go up to 104
degrees F and usually lasts 3 to 4 days |
| Headache |
Rare |
Sudden onset and can be severe |
| Muscle aches |
mild |
usual, and often severe |
| Tiredness and weakness |
mild |
Often extreme, and can last two or more weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion |
Never |
Sudden onset and can be severe |
| Runny nose |
Often |
Sometimes |
|