The Flu and You: What You Need to Know

Flu Facts

  • 4 things you need to know about H1N1 and the seasonal flu

  • What is the flu?

  • How do you keep from getting sick?

  • What about flu shots?

  • What if YOU get sick?

    • Four things you need to know about H1N1 and the seasonal flu:

    1 Seasonal influenza is actually more deadly than H1N1. (It kills 36,000 people in the United States each year and hospitalizes 226,000.) It’s most dangerous for the elderly, the very young and those with underlying medical conditions.

    2 Regularly washing your hands is the best way to stay healthy.

    3 An H1N1 vaccine won’t protect you against seasonal flu or vice versa.

    4 If you get sick, stay home.

    More Resources

    • National Centers for Disease Control Follow the Web site for this health monitoring and research organization for information on the spread of flu, prevention, and vaccine guidelines.

    • Flu.gov This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site bills itself as a one-stop source of information on H1N1, avian and pandemic flu. Here you’ll find prevention tips, including for pregnant women, flu monitoring information state by state and more.

    • Flu Busters Find flu vaccination clinics in your area.

    The series "The Flu and You" is by Christina Elston, senior editor and health writer for Dominion Parenting Media. To keep up with family health news, check out her HealthE blog.

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