Traverse
City West Junior High School
FLU SEASON PRECAUTIONS
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Designed By: Nickay Garvin
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CDC Says "Take 3"
This Flu Season
1.Take time to get a vaccine.
- A flu vaccine is the best way to protect
against the flu.
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- The flu vaccine protects against three
different flu viruses.
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- Getting a vaccine is very important for
people at high risk for serious flu complications and their close
contacts. People at high risk include infants, pregnant women, people
with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease,
and people 65 and older.
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- This year, an all time high supply of
vaccine is available so more people than ever can seek protection from
the flu.
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2. Take everyday preventive actions.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze--throw the tissue away after you use it.
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- Wash your hands often with soap and
water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near
water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
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- Stay away as much as you can from people
who are sick.
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- If you get the flu stay home from work
or school. If you are sick, do not go near other people so that you
don't make them sick.
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- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or
mouth. Germs often spread this way.
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3. Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says
to.
- There are flu antiviral drugs that can
treat the flu or prevent infection with flu viruses.
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- For treatment, antiviral drugs should be
started within 48 hours of getting sick.
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- For prevention, antiviral drugs are 70%
to 90% effective in preventing infection.
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- These drugs must be prescribed by a
health care provider.
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- If you develop flu-like symptoms
(usually high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore
throat, runny or stuff nose, and muscle aches), or are exposed to the
flu before you get a flue vaccine, your health care professional will
decide whether you should take antiviral drugs.
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Remember...
The flu is a serious disease,
Each year in the United States, on average:
- 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
- More than 200,000 people and hospitalized from
flu complications and;
- About 36,00 people die from flu.
Take action to protect yourself and your loved
ones from the flu!!!
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu
or call 800-CDC-INFO.