Flu

Influenza or "the flu" is an illness that affects our entire body, including the lungs. As many as 1 in 5 Americans get the flu each year. A virus that spreads from person to person causes flu. The illness can be mild, like a bad cold, or it can be very serious. In fact, people can die from the flu. You get the flu from other people. The flu virus spreads through coughing or sneezing. It is also spread when a person touches something that a sick person has touched, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Help Prevent the Flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Stay home if you are sick until you have been symptom-free without taking fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. 

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills.
• A cough.
• A sore throat. 
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Muscle or body aches. 
• Headaches. 
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. 

* It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Click here for more flu information from the District Office.