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What You Should Know
This Cold & Flu Season
Don’t Get It:
There are many things you can do to keep yourself from getting the flu or a cold. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control:
Get a flu shot There are two vaccines this year. The seasonal and H1N1. View the guidelines for who should get which shot or for more information visit www.cdc.gov/flu/.
Get a flu shot There are two vaccines this year. The seasonal and H1N1. View the guidelines for who should get which shot or for more information visit www.cdc.gov/flu/.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth, as those are ways germs are spread.
Clean regularly counters and other surfaces in your home and workplace using everyday cleaning products.
Avoid large groups whenever possible to limit contact.
Clean regularly counters and other surfaces in your home and workplace using everyday cleaning products.
Avoid large groups whenever possible to limit contact.
Do I need a flu shot?
Which one? 
Don't Spread It
If you feel ill or think you might have the flu, do your best to keep it to yourself.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Toss your tissue in the trash after you use it, so no one else has to touch it.
Stay home if you are sick (at least 24 hours after your fever is gone).
Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Plan ahead so you have adequate childcare coverage in case your child can not attend school due to illness.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Toss your tissue in the trash after you use it, so no one else has to touch it.
Stay home if you are sick (at least 24 hours after your fever is gone).
Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Plan ahead so you have adequate childcare coverage in case your child can not attend school due to illness.
Don't panic:
Most people who get sick with the flu, both seasonal and H1N1, will have a mild illness and will not need medical care or antiviral drugs.
Do NOT go to the ER if you are only mildly ill. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.
Call your health care provider for advice if you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness.
Know the emergency warning signs of flu (see below). If you get these, you should go to the emergency room.
Do NOT go to the ER if you are only mildly ill. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.
Call your health care provider for advice if you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness.
Know the emergency warning signs of flu (see below). If you get these, you should go to the emergency room.
How do I know if I have the flu?
You may have some or all of these symptoms:
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*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
When does the flu become an emergency?
Although you may feel awful, for most people the best thing to do for the flu is to stay home and rest. Do NOT go to the ER for typical symptoms. In a few cases, especially for those with other health complications, the flu can become an emergency. Call your healthcare provider or go to the ER if these symptoms occur:In children:
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In adults:
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