Protecting Your Family From the Flu This Season

I am so excited that Fall is here! I love the beautiful weather and the changing colors around me! The one thing I don't like is the sickies! You all know what I'm talking about! The coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and all of those fun symptoms. The most common illness during the colder months is the flu. Now I have never had the flu and no one else in my family has either. But it is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you protect your family by getting the flu vaccine for any family member over 6 months of age.

The flu vaccine provides protection that lasts through the flu season. Even if you got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine last season, you still need to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine. There is the alternate flu vaccine in mist form if you or your kids do not like shots! For more information on this, ask your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

Now, since I don't believe in the flu shot and no one in our family gets them and never has, I have a couple of
tips to prevent getting the flu other than the shot.

• Wash Your Hands: This is very important! The easiest way to protect yourself from germs.
• Cover your mouth: Try to cough or sneeze in the crook of your arm. This way you are not spreading your germs and if you touch something afterward, you won't be spreading your germs.
• Stay Home: One of my biggest peeves is when parents bring their sick children out. Please keep them at home or at least away from other children. It is not fair to knowingly chance other children getting sick.
• Finish Your Medicine: If you are sick and the doctor prescribes medicine, make sure you finish the whole amount. Doctors prescribe medicine to be taken over a course of time and just because you feel better doesn't mean the sickness is gone.

However you decide to protect your family is your choice. Please make sure you have a plan to reduce your families chances of getting sick this year. Whether it's getting the flu shot or washing your hands, every little bit helps!


CDC Flu InformationKnow what to do about the flu

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