Influenza, more commonly known as flu, is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and the lungs and is highly contagious, according to the National foundation for Infectious Diseases. Flu is at its peak during the latter part of fall, during winter, and early spring. Over 60 million people in the United States are affected by flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting a vaccine each year is the best way to prevent the flu. The CDC has also recently provided an updated FluView Report for the Flu Season of 2014-2015. Included in this report are preventive actions that people can carry out everyday, which are as follows:
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you or your child gets sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you (or your child) stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 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.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
- If an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs, follow public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people and other measures.
- Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to help remove germs.
- Make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes.
- Train others on how to do your job so they can cover for you in case you or a family member gets sick and you have to stay home.
- If you begin to feel sick while at work, go home as soon as possible.