Avoiding Flu

 

Try to Avoid Getting The Flu. A flu shot can greatly lower your chance of getting the flu. The best time to get the shot is from the middle of October to the middle of November, because most people get the flu in the winter.

The shot can't cause the flu. But you may feel sore or weak or have a fever for a couple of days.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

• Almost all people who want to lower their chance of coming down with the flu can get a flu shot. Flu shots are most important for:
• people 65 or older
• nursing home patients
• people over 6 months old with health problems, like asthma, or with long-term diseases, like HIV or heart disease
• children or teenagers who must often take aspirin
• people who are often around the elderly or those with health problems
  

Who Might Not Be Able to Get a Flu Shot?

Talk to your doctor before you get the shot if you:

• have certain allergies, especially to eggs
• have an illness, like pneumonia
• have a high fever
• are pregnant
  

Prescription Medicine Can Prevent Flu, Too

If you are one of those who should not get the flu shot, ask your doctor about prescription medicine to help prevent flu. If you get the flu, taking this medicine within the first 48 hours can make your illness less serious.

But, Do Not take antibiotics for a cold or flu. Antibiotics won't work against cold and flu germs. They should be taken only when really needed.

Help Yourself Feel Better While You Are Sick

A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. Tiredness from the flu may continue for several weeks.
To feel better while you are sick:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Use a humidifier -- an electric device that puts water into the air.
• A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.
  

Choose the Right Medicines For Your Symptoms

If You Want to Do This:	Choose Medicine With This:
Unclog a stuffy nose	Nasal decongestant
Quiet a cough	Cough suppressant
Loosen mucus so you can cough it up	Expectorant
Stop runny nose and sneezing	Antihistamine
Ease fever, headaches, minor aches and pains	Pain Reliever (Analgesic)

 

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