Every year, flu season occurs in the United States – but did you know that flu seasons can be different each year? Flu seasons can differ in timing, duration, or severity. There are important steps you can take to protect yourself. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. The vaccine is typically available as an injection or as a nasal spray.
However, getting the flu vaccine is not the only way to prevent the spread of flu germs. The CDC recommends that everyone wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand rub. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze and be sure to throw the Kleenex away after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If possible, avoid crowds. Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate – in child care centers, schools, office buildings (no, you can’t skip work to avoid the flu!), auditoriums and public transportation. Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods. If you do experience any of the flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medications.
Below are some interesting facts about the flu that most people might not know:
– The word “influenza” comes from the Italian influentia because people used to believe that the influence of the plants, stars, and moon caused the flu-for only such universal influence could explain such sudden and widespread sickness.
– The cost of treating annual flu epidemics, including lost wages and productivity of workers, is billions of dollars each year in just the United States alone.
– Scientists believe that flu pandemics occur two or three times each century.
– Flu viruses can live up to 48 hours on hard, nonporous surfaces such a stainless steel and up to 12 hours on cloth or tissues. They can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at freezing temperatures, and indefinitely and temperatures below freezing.
Sources:
www.cdc.gov
www.flu.gov
www.mayoclinic.com
http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/07/19_flu.html