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How to Fight the Flu - Friday, January 19, 2018
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From the Louisiana Office of Public Health;
The symptoms of the
flu include fever (over 100 degrees F.), cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue. For most people, the flu can easily be treated at
home with bedrest fever-reducing, and antiviral medicines. However, people who
have underlying medical conditions, women who are pregnant, or very young
children should contact their doctor if they develop flu symptoms to see if
they need further interventions or medications.
Germs are usually spread when a person breathes in respiratory droplets from
someone who is sick. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move
through the air for a short distance (3 feet). Germs can also be spread when a
person touches something that is contaminated from another person such as a
desk or doorknob, and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before
washing hands.
To reduce the risk of getting any illness, please do the following:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you have cold symptoms or have fever greater than 100.3. Stay away from
others until you have not had a fever for 24 hours.
• Call your doctor immediately to see if an antiviral medication is appropriate
for you.
• If you are sick, do not visit vulnerable loved ones who may be receiving care
in a hospital, nursing home, cancer center or other setting.
• If you are sick, do not kiss babies, pregnant women, grandparents, and others
who may be at a higher risk of getting sick.
• Cover your cough and sneeze.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs
like the flu.
• It’s not too late to get a flu shot.
If you suspect a child has the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend
school or go anywhere else – such as group childcare, the mall, or sporting
events – where other people would be exposed to their flu germs.
It is also important to teach children how to reduce their risk of getting the
flu and protect others from infection.
- Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into
the inside of their elbow. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve – not your hands.
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- Teach children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and water for at
least 20 seconds is ideal (that’s about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy
Birthday” song twice).
- Teach children the proper use of hand sanitizer (if they are too young, they
should not use hand sanitizers on their own. Keep hand sanitizers away from
young children). Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they
contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly.
Always read and follow label instructions when using hand sanitizer.
- Teach children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching
their mouth, nose or eyes.
- Help children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and
always doing them yourself.
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