FLU SEASON 2007-2008

1. FLU SEASON 2007-2008 Tips on keeping yourself and others healthy Content Source: Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

2. What is the FLU? Seasonal Influenza (or common flu) is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. This contagious respiratory illness is caused by the influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

3. Facts about Influenza • Symptoms start one to four days, with an average of two days, after the virus enters the body. • Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms, but they can still spread the virus. • Studies show that adults can spread virus from one day before developing symptoms to up to seven days after getting sick. • Young children can spread the virus for longer than seven days. In general, however, more virus is spread earlier in the illness than later. • Generally, people start feeling better after the body’s temperature returns to normal, in about three days, and are ready to return to their normal activities in about a week. It is common for tiredness and a cough to linger on for several more weeks.

4. Symptoms of the 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

5. How the 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 daybeforesymptoms develop and up to 5 days afterbecoming 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.

6. Preventing Seasonal Flu: Get Vaccinated The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.

7. Good Health Habits for Prevention The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is vaccination, BUT good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help prevent respiratory illness like the flu.

9. Healthy 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. 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.

10. Taking Care of Yourself When You Have the Flu If you get the flu, there are some actions you can take at home: • Rest • Drink plenty of liquids • Avoid using alcohol and tobacco • Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever – without first speaking to your doctor.)

11. Working at Keeping You Healthy and Happy! Vermilion Parish School Board Wellness Department 337-898-5772