| 1. Get vaccinated. | | | | from having to leave the premises to get the shot. |
| The best way to prevent oneself from contracting the | | | | 5. Stay home sick. |
| flu is to get a shot. It will not give the person the flu. It | | | | Employees with the flu should stay home when they |
| will likely keep the person from getting it. If they do; | | | | are sick, rather than come to the office and cause |
| however, it will be a more mild case than if they had | | | | customers and other employees to contract the virus. |
| not gotten vaccinated. | | | | 6. Avoid close personal contact. |
| 2. Wash hands frequently. | | | | Keep a safe distance from people who are ill with the |
| For those who come in contact with surfaces in public | | | | flu. Those who are sick should make a conscious |
| places, particularly those with high traffic, frequent hand | | | | effort to stay away from others when they believe |
| washing will help reduce the risks of contracting the | | | | they have the virus. |
| illness. Use warm, soapy water and wash hands | | | | 7. Know the risks. |
| vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds. Rinse well | | | | Take the flu virus seriously. More than 36,000 people |
| and use a clean towel or air dryer to dry them | | | | die from influenza each year. About 14,000 are |
| thoroughly. Use the towel to turn off the faucet, when | | | | hospitalized with complications from the illness. |
| possible. | | | | 8. Know the symptoms. |
| 3. Do not touch the face. | | | | There are many different signs and symptoms of the |
| People should refrain from touching their faces with | | | | flu. When a few are present, consult a medical health |
| their hands, especially after coming in contact with a | | | | care or home elder care provider for an examination. |
| frequently used surface. | | | | Watch for sudden, severe onset of headache and/or |
| 4. Be a preventive employer. | | | | extreme exhaustion. A fever between 102 and 104 |
| Employers should encourage their workers to get a flu | | | | degrees F can last from 3 to 4 days. Other possible |
| shot. Contacting medical staffing agencies to set up | | | | symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, sore throat, |
| in-house flu vaccinations will lower the risk of | | | | runny nose and muscle aches. |
| employees contracting the flu and will prevent them | | | | |