Your Health: Take precautions to avoid this year’s deadly flu

With deaths from the flu mounting nationwide and visits to emergency rooms rising sharply for adults aged 65 and over as well as among children, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Florida Department of Health (FDH), are urging the following steps to avoid this year’s deadly virus:

Take Time To Get A Flu Vaccine

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. A flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Try To Avoid Close Contact With Sick People

Avoid contact with sick people and while sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. And if you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

Remember Your Manners

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash Your Hands Often With Soap And Water

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And remember to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.