Tips for Staying Healthy during Flu Season

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Every year the flu sickens millions of Americans, hospitalizes hundreds of thousands, and kills tens of thousands.  Catching the flu can be as easy as standing in line next to someone who has flu symptoms.  Fortunately, protecting yourself against the flu is easy.  To avoid infection, you should also wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who are sick. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends following the 3 C’s: clean, cover, and contain.

• Clean – clean your hands frequently by washing your hands with soap and warm water.

• Cover – cover your cough and sneeze.

• Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.

Flu viruses spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk.  Flu usually comes on suddenly.  People who have the flu often feel some or all of the following symptoms:

– fever or feeling feverish/chills
– cough
– runny or stuffy nose
– muscle or body aches
– headaches
– fatigue (tiredness)
– vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

To find a location to get a flu shot in your community, check with your health care provider or local health department.  You can also use the online Vaccine Finder.  More information about influenza can be found on the IDPH website at www.dph.illinois.gov.

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