Page 8 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - January, 2017
P. 8
8
Flu shot How does the flu spread? as while you are sick. Some people can
today might be infected with the flu virus but have no
keep nasty People with the flu can spread it to symptoms. During this time, they may
virus away others up to about six feet away. Most still spread the virus to others
experts think flu viruses are spread
Wellness Center urges mainly by droplets made when people When is flu season in the U.S.?
community to help stop with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These
the spread of illness droplets can land in the mouths or noses It occurs in the fall and winter. The
of people who are nearby or possibly be peak of flu season has occurred anywhere
Cold and flu season are still upon us! inhaled into the lungs. from late November to April. The overall
It is not too late to get your flu shot health impact (infections, hospitalizations
and take steps to protect you and your Less often, a person might also get the and deaths) varies from year to year.
family. flu by touching a surface or object that
The following are commonly asked has the virus on it and then touching How do I keep from getting the flu?
questions about influenza and how to their own mouth or eyes. To avoid this,
reduce your chances of contracting it: people should stay away from sick people n The Centers for Disease Control
and stay home if sick. It also is important and Prevention recommends a yearly flu
What is seasonal influenza (flu)? to wash your hands often with soap and vaccine as the first and most important
water. If soap and water are not available, step in protecting against flu viruses.
Seasonal influenza, commonly called use an alcohol-based hand rub.
“the flu,” is caused by influenza viruses, n There are many different flu viruses;
which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the Linens, eating utensils and dishes a flu vaccine protects against the viruses
nose, throat and lungs). belonging to those who are sick research suggests will be most common.
should not be shared without washing
Unlike many other viral respiratory thoroughly first. Eating utensils can be n Flu vaccination can reduce flu
infections, such as the common cold, washed in a dishwasher or by hand with illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work
the flu can cause severe illness and water and soap and do not need to be and school because of the flu, as well as
life-threatening complications in many cleaned separately. prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
people.
Frequently touched surfaces should be n Everyone 6 months of age and older
It is estimated that more than 200,000 cleaned and disinfected at home, work should get a flu vaccine as soon as the
people are hospitalized from seasonal and school, especially if someone is ill. current season’s vaccines are available.
flu-related complications each year. Flu
seasons are unpredictable and can be Most adults may be able to infect n Vaccination of high-risk people is
severe. others starting one day before symptoms especially important to decrease their risk
develop and up to five to seven days after of severe flu illness.
Some people, such as elders, young becoming sick. Children may spread the
children, pregnant women and people virus for longer than seven days. n People at high risk of serious flu
with certain health conditions, are at complications include young children,
high risk for serious flu complications. Symptoms start one to four days after pregnant women, people with chronic
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by the virus enters the body. That means you health conditions such as asthma,
getting a vaccination each year. may be able to pass the flu to someone diabetes or heart and lung disease and
else before you know you are sick, as well ages 65 and older.
Flu vaccines protect against the viruses
that research indicates will be most n Vaccination also is important for
common during the upcoming season. health care workers and other people who
Everyone 6 months and older should get live with or care for high-risk people to
vaccinated against the flu every year. keep from spreading the flu to them.
It’s best to get vaccinated soon after n Children younger than 6 months are
vaccine becomes available; however at high risk of serious flu illness but are
vaccine is beneficial anytime during flu too young to be vaccinated. People who
season. Immunity sets in about two weeks care for infants should be vaccinated.
after vaccination.
n Stop the spread of germs by washing
What are symptoms of the flu? your hands frequently, covering your nose
and mouth with a tissue when you cough
Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, or sneeze, clean and disinfect surfaces and
sore throat and headache are common objects, limit contact with others while
symptoms of flu. Not everyone with flu sick, avoid touching your eyes and mouth
will have a fever. The flu can cause mild and stay home if you have symptoms.
to severe illness, and at times can lead to
death. The flu is different from a cold and GET YOUR SHOT
can usually come on suddenly.
Protect yourself
and those around
you by getting
vaccinated
against the flu
today. Call the
Chehalis Tribal
Wellness Center
at 360-273-
5504 to make an
appointment.
Flu shot How does the flu spread? as while you are sick. Some people can
today might be infected with the flu virus but have no
keep nasty People with the flu can spread it to symptoms. During this time, they may
virus away others up to about six feet away. Most still spread the virus to others
experts think flu viruses are spread
Wellness Center urges mainly by droplets made when people When is flu season in the U.S.?
community to help stop with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These
the spread of illness droplets can land in the mouths or noses It occurs in the fall and winter. The
of people who are nearby or possibly be peak of flu season has occurred anywhere
Cold and flu season are still upon us! inhaled into the lungs. from late November to April. The overall
It is not too late to get your flu shot health impact (infections, hospitalizations
and take steps to protect you and your Less often, a person might also get the and deaths) varies from year to year.
family. flu by touching a surface or object that
The following are commonly asked has the virus on it and then touching How do I keep from getting the flu?
questions about influenza and how to their own mouth or eyes. To avoid this,
reduce your chances of contracting it: people should stay away from sick people n The Centers for Disease Control
and stay home if sick. It also is important and Prevention recommends a yearly flu
What is seasonal influenza (flu)? to wash your hands often with soap and vaccine as the first and most important
water. If soap and water are not available, step in protecting against flu viruses.
Seasonal influenza, commonly called use an alcohol-based hand rub.
“the flu,” is caused by influenza viruses, n There are many different flu viruses;
which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the Linens, eating utensils and dishes a flu vaccine protects against the viruses
nose, throat and lungs). belonging to those who are sick research suggests will be most common.
should not be shared without washing
Unlike many other viral respiratory thoroughly first. Eating utensils can be n Flu vaccination can reduce flu
infections, such as the common cold, washed in a dishwasher or by hand with illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work
the flu can cause severe illness and water and soap and do not need to be and school because of the flu, as well as
life-threatening complications in many cleaned separately. prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
people.
Frequently touched surfaces should be n Everyone 6 months of age and older
It is estimated that more than 200,000 cleaned and disinfected at home, work should get a flu vaccine as soon as the
people are hospitalized from seasonal and school, especially if someone is ill. current season’s vaccines are available.
flu-related complications each year. Flu
seasons are unpredictable and can be Most adults may be able to infect n Vaccination of high-risk people is
severe. others starting one day before symptoms especially important to decrease their risk
develop and up to five to seven days after of severe flu illness.
Some people, such as elders, young becoming sick. Children may spread the
children, pregnant women and people virus for longer than seven days. n People at high risk of serious flu
with certain health conditions, are at complications include young children,
high risk for serious flu complications. Symptoms start one to four days after pregnant women, people with chronic
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by the virus enters the body. That means you health conditions such as asthma,
getting a vaccination each year. may be able to pass the flu to someone diabetes or heart and lung disease and
else before you know you are sick, as well ages 65 and older.
Flu vaccines protect against the viruses
that research indicates will be most n Vaccination also is important for
common during the upcoming season. health care workers and other people who
Everyone 6 months and older should get live with or care for high-risk people to
vaccinated against the flu every year. keep from spreading the flu to them.
It’s best to get vaccinated soon after n Children younger than 6 months are
vaccine becomes available; however at high risk of serious flu illness but are
vaccine is beneficial anytime during flu too young to be vaccinated. People who
season. Immunity sets in about two weeks care for infants should be vaccinated.
after vaccination.
n Stop the spread of germs by washing
What are symptoms of the flu? your hands frequently, covering your nose
and mouth with a tissue when you cough
Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, or sneeze, clean and disinfect surfaces and
sore throat and headache are common objects, limit contact with others while
symptoms of flu. Not everyone with flu sick, avoid touching your eyes and mouth
will have a fever. The flu can cause mild and stay home if you have symptoms.
to severe illness, and at times can lead to
death. The flu is different from a cold and GET YOUR SHOT
can usually come on suddenly.
Protect yourself
and those around
you by getting
vaccinated
against the flu
today. Call the
Chehalis Tribal
Wellness Center
at 360-273-
5504 to make an
appointment.
