Basics for Flu Prevention
Get vaccinated
Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine has recently been released.
The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 (Swine) flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other. Get both!
Use our Flu Shot Locator to get vaccinated where you live.
More information on Vaccination
Practice good hygiene
Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
- Put used tissues in a waste basket.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands (hands should be washed if visibly soiled).
More on Prevention and Treatment
If you are diagnosed with the flu…
- CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever (100°F or 37.8°C) is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®.) You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
- Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu, such as people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and infants.
- Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages made for infants to prevent becoming dehydrated.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean hands with soap and water, especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into your hands.If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands (hands should be washed if visibly soiled).
- Talk to your doctor about the prescription antivirals, Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) and Zanamivir (RELENZA®) Learn more about medications and antivirals.
