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Protect yourself, protect others – get a flu vaccine every year

• Get vaccinated against the flu. Everyone 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated. The circulating strains of flu are a good match with those included in this year’s vaccine.
• If you are pregnant, you can and should receive the flu shot during any trimester. Pregnant women are at high risk of flu-related complications. If immunized during pregnancy, protective antibodies help protect your baby for up to 6 months after birth.
• Locate other providers of flu vaccine, visit vaccinefinder.org.

Prevent the spread of germs: Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve. This prevents germs from getting on your hands, which then leave germs on the things you touch (door knobs, hand rails, light switches, etc). Flu can survive on these surfaces for several hours!
• If you use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Stay home when you are sick

• If you or your child has a fever, stay home! You or your child should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school. A fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine (like Tylenol).
• If you are sick, do not visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, or any facility housing the elderly and/or anyone in frail health. People with certain health conditions are more likely to have complications that result in hospitalization or even death. Limiting contact with others as much as possible while you are sick keeps you from infecting them.

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Stay informed

• Visit www.flu.gov for more information.
• Weekly influenza activity estimates are available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Summary Update Map.
• Help track flu in our area: visit Flu Near You for more information .

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