Avoiding Getting Sick with the Flu

The current flu season is living up to predictions, becoming one of the worst in recent years. In addition to an early start, widespread cases across the United States, a strain of flu going around that was not included in this year's vaccine, and multiple cases of children dying from flu, there is now a report that the two major vaccine manufacturers are already out of flu shots.

If you can not get a flu shot and you are exposed to someone with the flu, you might ask your doctor about prescribing an antiviral drug to help prevent you from getting sick. These flu drugs include amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (Flumadine), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Whether or not you got a flu shot, since it isn't 100% effective, you should follow these steps to help prevent you and your family from getting sick with the flu:

• Wash your hands often
• Routinely clean, with soap and water, and disinfect surfaces, toys, and objects that younger children may put in their mouths.
• Teach your children 'cough etiquette'
• Avoid unnecessary contact with a lot of people, especially for your younger children

For more information:

• More Tips to Avoid the Flu
• Flu Questions and Answers
• Kids and the Flu