Prevent The Flu Season Months From Getting To You

First one kid gets it, then all the others. Then you get it and pass it along it to someone else. This is how the flu season months, typically ranging December through March, can get to us and hold us back. However, there are ways we can recognize the early symptoms of influenza in order to prevent it!

The CDC and local and state health departments have collaborated on the US Influenza surveillance system, designed to collect information during the flu season months. They track influenza-related illness and death, determine which influenza viruses are circulating and how, as well as research new or evolved virus strains. Thanks to their work, we can begin to better understand flu symptoms, how they spread, possible complications and prevention.

So, the first step to flu prevention is recognizing the symptoms and to take action right away!

Symptoms to Look for During The Flu Season Months:

• Fever
• Cough / Sore Throat
• Fatigue
• Body Aches
• Running or Stuffy Nose
• Headaches
• Vomiting or Diarrhea

If you notice any of these symptoms in you, your kids, or anyone else around you, do you what you can to prevent the germs from spreading. This means, keep your kids home and make sure they are the only ones using anything they touch. Hand sanitizer and proper hand washing is the number one way to prevent from contacting the flu.

How Does the Flu Spread?

Those with the influenza virus may cough, sneeze, or in some other way (touching their mouth/nose) transfer tiny droplets of saliva or mucus with the virus to a common surface or even directly onto another person. These droplets may pass from nose/mouth to the other person’s nose/mouth directly or be picked up from a surface by someone who then touches his or her own nose/mouth/eyes. So, be careful when you cough, sneeze or touch your mouth or nose, and watch others to make sure they are properly sanitizing hands after their hands are near their face.

Flu Complications:

If you contract a virus during the flu season months, it may not simply be the flu that you are fighting. The flu can complicate and aggravate other conditions such as ear infection, heart failure, asthma, diabetes, and bacterial pneumonia. These kinds of complications are usually how a flu becomes very serious, so take action against symptoms right away!

If any of the flu symptoms are present, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Nobody wants to get sick, miss out on fun events, or have to make up work during the flu season months. Protect your family by staying on top of the cleaning game. Be sure to use hand sanitizer and take precautions to weaken the possibility of spreading germs by being careful what you touch.