Protect Yourself Against The Flu

In addition to getting a flu vaccine (includes nose sprays), take these steps to protect everyone from getting the flu.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, keep your distance from others.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer, especially:
  • after coughing or sneezing
  • before and after preparing food
  • before and after eating
  • after using the toilet
  • after handling animals and animal waste
  • any time your hands are dirty
  • when someone at home is sick
• Teach and remind children to wash their hands.

You should also consider protecting yourself from the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. The H1N1 flu virus is already affecting many communities in the United States and expected to begin spreading more rapidly. One way to protect yourself is to get the new vaccine when it becomes available.

Learn more about the flu and H1N1 online by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.