Andalusia Health encourages everyone to follow the three-step approach to fight the flu as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Get a flu vaccination this year and every year. Seek early treatment if you get the flu, particularly if you are pregnant, over age 60 or have a chronic health condition. And take the following preventive actions to slow the spread of germs:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue, your sleeve or elbow – NOT your bare hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing food, cups or eating utensils.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.