Influenza Information: Tips to prevent the flu
With the flu season approaching, and a new H1N1 flu virus (swine flu) emerging, the need to take precautions is greater than ever. Here are some tips to protect yourself from the flu this season:
Wash your hands
Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often. Flu viruses can live on your hands for up to five minutes.
Use hand sanitizer
ACT has installed hand sanitizer (Purell) dispensers throughout the building to disinfect your hands between washes. Keep gel or wipes handy at work, home and in your car. It needs at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
Do the sleeve sneeze
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of the tissue. Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.
Clean common surfaces
Keep common surfaces – like countertops and telephones – clean and disinfected. Flu viruses can live on hard surfaces that you touch with your hands for up to two days.
Get the shots
This year, two vaccines have been developed – one against seasonal flu and the other against H1N1 flu. The seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the H1N1 flu. Immunization will begin in November for the H1N1 flu vaccine, and December/January for the seasonal flu vaccine.
Take care of yourself
If you have flu symptoms, stay at home. Those can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People living with HIV/AIDS who are experiencing flu symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
Please visit the ACT flu season website at www.actoronto.org/flu for up-to-date information, including vaccine availability and medical care referrals.
