The American Red Cross is offering the following tips to stay healthy this flu season.
Always practice good health habits to maintain your body’s resistance to infection.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Exercise daily.
- Manage stress.
- Get enough rest and sleep.
Take these common sense steps to stop the spread of germs
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective when soap and water aren’t available.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Flu is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Adopt business/school practices that encourage employees/students to stay home when sick.
- Get a flu shot every year. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to minimize illness and death.
According to a press release sent out by the Red Cross, flu viruses spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze. Adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and as long as 5 days after getting sick.
For more information about the flu and how to avoid it this year, please visit www.redcrossillinois.org/flu-preparedness
