From FEMA: National Influenza Preparedness Week

"With the holiday season kicking into high gear, it is important to take precaution in making sure you and your loved ones are at your healthiest. Flu season is already here and generally peaks between the months of December and February. December 1-7 is National Influenza Vaccine Week; which has been created to remind all Americans to get vaccinated, what flu symptoms look like and how to care for yourself and your loved ones.

It is important to recognize symptoms of the flu since they can closely resemble the common cold. Ask yourself the following questions when determining the potential cause of your symptoms:

• How long have I been feeling under the weather? Has it been a few days or was it abrupt?

• Do I have a fever?

• Am I feeling especially fatigued or weak? Am I having body aches?

• Am I getting headaches?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, you may have the flu. In this case, it is a good idea to visit your doctor as soon as possible. If you are sick, do not go in to work and try to avoid others as much as possible – there are people with heightened risk to infection, and you can easily transmit the virus to them. Examples of high-risk individuals are pregnant women, people age 65 and older, people with chronic health conditions, people with compromised immune systems and children younger than 5 years old. If high-risk individuals have the flu, it can easily become fatal.

Take precautions to prevent both you and your loved ones:

• If you haven’t already, get vaccinated. This is the most important step you can take in protecting yourself and others from the flu.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

• Wash your hands. Make sure you thoroughly wash them for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing the backs of your hands, in-between

your fingers, and under your fingernails.

National Influenza Preparedness Week

FEMA’s vision is a prepared and resilient nation. 2

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Many viruses can be transmitted through the air after a sick person sneezes or coughs.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This can be very difficult, as we often do this without realizing.

• Eat right, be physically active, and get enough sleep. When you are not healthy in other aspects of your life, your immune system is weakened, and you are more likely to become sick.

The flu vaccine is offered at pharmacies, medical clinics, and other locations around the country. If you are not sure where to get a vaccine, the CDC has a Flu Vaccine Finder that will help you locate the distributors closest to you. It is imperative to follow the directions of health professionals, so that you and your loved ones can stay healthy during this holiday season.