Fight the Flu

Here are things you can do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of colds and flu:

B – Be sure to pay attention to the CDC vaccination guidelines for flu.
E – Eat healthy; sleep 7-8 hours; manage stress; engage in regular physical activity.
S – Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius), determined without the use of fever-reducing medication.
M – Make sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20-30 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
A – Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
R – Routinely clean surfaces with frequent hand contact with typically-used cleaning agents.
T – Try to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. If a tissue is not available, use your elbow or shoulder.

• Drink Clear Fluids – Water, juice, soup broths, electrolyte beverages to stay hydrated.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen – Take to reduce fever and relieve body aches.
• Antiviral Medication – Antibiotics won’t work, but antiviral medication may help for the flu only, but only when given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Ask your doctor if this therapy might benefit you.
• Sponge Bath – A cool, sponge bath (in water, not rubbing alcohol) may reduce fever symptoms.
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Use – Smoking only increases the damage done to your lungs by the virus. Alcohol dehydrates the body.
• Sleep – Get enough sleep to feel completely rested.
• Soothe Sore Throat – Gargle warm salt water (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water). Suck on cough drops or lozenges
• Decongest – Use camphor or menthol rubs to clear nasal passages.
• Inhale – Breathe the steam from hot beverages, also take deep breaths when in the shower.

• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work; socially distance yourself from others. Ask a roommate or friend to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies, if needed.
• Special populations should check in with their health care provider. Serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, children under five, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
• Wear a facial covering – 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 the flu.
• Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
• Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see following link) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention for the seasonal flu or H1N1 flu.

For more information: cdc.gov/flu

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  cdc.gov/flu
• Central District Health Department
  cdhd.idaho.gov
• National and Regional Level Outpatient Illness and Viral Surveillance
  gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/fluportaldashboard.html