It’s that time of year again! No, I don’t mean the holidays (though true, those are quickly bearing down upon us). I mean Flu Season. [insert scary music here]
That’s right. It’s the time of the year when we give glares to anyone near us that dare cough or clutch a fistful of tissues as though they were their last hope. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) likes to remind us, though, that we can help reduce our chances for contracting the flu by following a few key steps:
- First, get a flu shot. TCC still has a supply of this year’s vaccine. It is available from each campus nurse at a cost of $12. Vouchers for the vaccine may be purchased from any campus business services office.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and elbow rather than your hands.
- Wash your 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. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Try to avoid crowds during an influenza outbreak.
To learn more about influenza, check out the CDC’s influenza information sheet or Flu Season section of their website.
Stay healthy and have a happy holidays!