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Stay ahead of the cold & flu this season. Before you leave the house check in with our cold & flu tracker. Enter a zip code and keep an eye on cold and flu outbreaks in your area and around the country.
What's the difference between a Cold and the Flu? Between the Swine Flu and Bird Flu? Who's at greatest risk for the Flu? Protecting your family from the germs that cause colds and the flu is easier than you might think. We're glad you asked. Find all this and more.
Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
Cold
The basic steps for preventing the spread of cold germs are:
- Practice frequent and thorough hand washing. See when to wash and review step-by-step handwashing instructions.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces regularly
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of used tissues in the trash
- Follow basic good health habits to help fight off cold viruses.
Seasonal Flu and H1N1
Prevention tips for H1N1 and seasonal flu are similar. CDC recommends the following steps to help prevent becoming sick with the flu:
- Get vaccinated. According to CDC, vaccination is the best protection we have against flu.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Reduce germs on surfaces like bedside tables, bathroom surfaces, kitchen counters and children's toys clean by using disinfecting wipes, disinfecting all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant spray. Follow label directions to disinfect properly; rinse children's toys after disinfecting them.
- Try to avoid contact with those who are sick. If someone in your home is sick, try to keep the person in a separate room, if possible. Throw tissues and other disposable items used by a sick person into the trash.
Since the disease can be spread via hands and surfaces, proper hygiene is critical to reducing the risk of contracting the flu. And if there is an outbreak in your area, follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.