• First and foremost, get vaccinated!
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to keep from spreading flu viruses to others. Throw the tissue away after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

Your doctor’s office, the Skagit County Public Health Department and many local pharmacies offer the flu vaccine. You can also search for a local flu vaccine location near you by using this handy vaccine finder: http://flushot.healthmap.org


Be Proactive

The following higher-risk populations hold priority for early vaccinations:

• Pregnant women
• Households with children under six months old
• Healthcare workers
• People aged 6 to 24 years
• People aged 25 to 64 with certain medical conditions

 
What if I Get Sick?

If you have flu-like symptoms, ask for a mask upon entering a healthcare facility to prevent the spread of the flu to others. Stay at home if fever is 100 degrees or higher with a cough, chest congestion, sore throat, body and muscle aches, and sometimes vomiting and/or diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that all with flu-like illness should stay at home 24 hours after fever is gone, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. This may help prevent the spread of the flu at local schools and places of work.