Keep Your Family Safe From Influenza: Tips on Prevention



Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by various strains of the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. While anyone can contract the flu virus and become ill with it, it is especially important to take steps to protect your family from getting sick. Here are some tips on how to prevent your family from getting influenza:

1. Get Vaccinated: One of the best ways to protect your family from the flu is by getting everyone vaccinated against it each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get an annual flu vaccine as soon as possible after it becomes available in their area.

2. Practice Good Hygiene Habits: Encourage everyone in your household to practice good hygiene habits such as washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth; staying home if they are sick; and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

3. Clean Your Home Regularly: Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops and toys regularly with a household cleaning product that contains bleach or another EPA-registered disinfectant in order to reduce germs that could spread influenza viruses around your home environment.

4. Avoid Crowded Areas: Try to limit trips out of the house during peak influenza season (usually late fall through early spring) in order to reduce exposure of yourself and your family members to potential sources of infection such as crowded public places like malls or movie theaters where people may be carrying the virus without showing any symptoms yet themselves.

Following these tips can help keep your family safe from contracting influenza this season!

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Influenza, Flu, Virus, Symptoms, Vaccinated, Hygiene Habits, Clean Home Regularly, Crowded Areas,

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