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Flu Prevention

Protect yourself and your family from respiratory illnesses like pandemic flu.

Getting the flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent seasonal flu. Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) can also help people protect themselves and others from getting and spreading the flu. NPIs are especially important during outbreaks of pandemic flu.

A pandemic flu outbreak occurs when a new flu virus appears among people. Because it is a new virus, people have little or no immunity to it. This allows the virus to spread quickly from person to person around the world. It may take months before an effective vaccine is developed.

  • What you can do personally ( Personal NPIs): Stay home when you are sick. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands often.
  • What communities can do ( Community NPIs): Implement social distancing interventions in schools, workplaces, and at events.
  • What everyone can do to keep the environment germ-free ( Environmental NPIs) : Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects like door knobs.
  • CDC provides educational resources and training on how to incorporate personal, community, and environmental NPIs into your pandemic flu plans.

The actions you take and plans you make today make a difference. Here are some important steps for protecting yourself and others from getting and spreading the flu at home:

1. Staying home when you are sick.

What to do:

Older man blowing his nose while in bed sick

Stay home so that you avoid spreading germs to others.

How long should I stay home?

  • If you get flu -like symptoms without a fever, stay home after you get sick to lower the chances of spreading your illness to others.
  • If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines, such as acetaminophen. This will help ensure that your fever is truly gone and you are past the point of being contagious.
  • Children and people with weakened immune systems may need to stay home longer.

Why is this important?

Your body needs rest to recover from illness. It can take longer to feel better when you do not rest. You can spread the flu virus up to 24 hours after symptoms subside. People with weakened immune systems often need even more time to recover and to stop being contagious.

2. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

What to do:

2 siblings at home keeping 6 feet away while sick.
  • If you or your child gets flu -like symptoms without a fever, stay home after you get sick to lower the chances of spreading your illness to others.
  • Stay at least 3 feet away from sick people when possible.
  • Tell your employer if you get sick. If possible, those who are at high risk for flu complications should avoid attending meetings or events in person if they are sick.

* During a flu pandemic *

  • Avoid places where people gather, such as meetings, concerts, festivals, and sporting events, especially if you are at high risk for flu complications.
  • Seek alternative ways to participate in gatherings, such as watching them on television or online, so that you can avoid face-to-face contact with people who may be sick.

Why is this important?

Droplets containing flu virus can travel at least 3 feet, so keeping this distance from sick people can help lower your chance of becoming ill.

3. Covering your coughs and sneezes.

What to do:

Little girl bloweing her nose with a tissue at home
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Throw away the used tissue, and then wash your hands.

* During a flu pandemic *

You may choose to wear a facemask when you are sick to help lower the chances of spreading illness to others.

Why is this important?

Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue helps prevent the spread of the flu virus through the air and on your hands.

4. Washing your hands.

What to do:

Woman washing her hands in home bathroom sink
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
  • If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Why is this important?

Washing your hands lowers the amount of flu virus that can spread when you shake someone’s hands or touch surfaces and objects, such as desks and doorknobs. It is especially important to wash your hands before and after touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

5. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.

What to do:

Woman cleaning kitchen counter at home.

Clean surfaces and objects that are touched frequently, including desks, doorknobs, railings, computer keyboards, phones, and toys.

Does cleaning with soap and water remove the flu virus?

  • Yes, soap and water are all you need to remove the flu virus.
  • You can also use a bleach-and-water solution or disinfectant with a label that says “EPA approved” for killing bacteria and viruses. Always follow directions on product labels.

Why is this important?

The flu virus can remain on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Cleaning surfaces and objects that are frequently touched lowers the amount of flu virus that can be spread when you touch an infected surface and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Being prepared and informed.

What to do:

Family looking at computer.)
  • Get a seasonal flu vaccination.
  • Keep informed about your local flu situation.
  • Keep informed about your child’s school and childcare attendance policies.
  • Know your employer’s sick-leave policies.

* During a flu pandemic *

  • Make plans for what to do in the event that your local public health department or local school district recommends closing schools or canceling events.
  • Get a pandemic flu vaccination as soon as it becomes available in your area.

Why is this important?

Knowing what precautions to take and where to go to get credible information will help you make plans for protecting yourself and others.

Flu Prevention Tools and Resources At Home

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