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Even a mild case of flu can cost you in days of lost work and medical expenses. A severe case can mean hospitalization for you or your children, or even prove deadly. For complete flu protection, you need to arm yourself three ways.
1. Get a seasonal flu vaccination. Flu vaccination not only helps prevent the spread of flu, it saves lives. Last flu season, an estimated 80,000 adults nationwide died from the flu, and more than 180 children – including three from Mississippi. Flu vaccination can keep you healthy, reduce the severity of illness, and lower your risk of flu-related hospitalization and death. Remember: Infants younger than six months of age aren’t protected by flu vaccination. You’re helping protect the very young when you’re vaccinated against flu.
2. Practice protective hygiene.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, which can transfer germs from your hands into your body.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
• If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you have flu symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
3. Take antiviral medications to treat your flu if your doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder, and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications, especially if you take them as soon as possible after symptoms appear. Antiviral drugs can help you recover from illness, but they can’t prevent the flu. Flu vaccination has proven to be the best way to prevent the flu.
