It’s flu season. That means rolling up your sleeves and doing your part to prevent the spread of flu this season. There’s a lot more you can do than just get your annual flu shot. One person can spread the flu as far as 6 feet away, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself and others. We have everything you need to know and more!
The flu is known to be contagious, and this is a very important place to start. People with the flu can start spreading it on the first day and continue for 5-7 days after getting sick.so you can spread the flu forward and back Anyone you come in contact with knows you are sick — friends, family, co-workers, even strangers.
Influenza can spread:
- Through droplets produced during coughing, sneezing and talking, these droplets are then inhaled into the lungs.
- Direct physical contact, such as kissing someone who has the flu.
- Touch the surface and transmit to the eyes, mouth and nose.
- Shake hands with someone who has the flu, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
You can prevent the spread by:
- If you are sick, please self-isolate (do not go to work or crowded public places).
- Wash your hands as often as possible, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces in homes, workplaces, and schools.
The number one way to avoid getting and spreading the flu is to get a yearly flu shot. The flu shot causes your body to make antibodies against the virus in about two weeks. While there is no guarantee that the vaccine will protect against all viruses, the traditional flu vaccine protects against three different strains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months of age be vaccinated each season.
refer to:
CDC http://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html
