Newsroom
Stop the Flu before it Spreads
Sunlight’s waning and snow’s impending. The time is right to think about protecting yourself from the flu.
Oak Park, IL
(October 15, 2009) —
Though different flu strains, seasonal flu and H1N1 flu share many signs and symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Symptoms may be more severe and also may include diarrhea and vomiting for H1N1 flu, according to www.flu.gov.
“Prevention is the key because the flu is a virus,” says Deborah Pavlak, RN, CIC, Infection Control Professional at Rush Oak Park Hospital. “That’s why we encourage everyone to get a seasonal flu vaccine every year.”
You can protect your health and prevent the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1 flu by following these steps:
• Get vaccinated.
• Clean your hands often. Hand hygiene is essential. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are very effective against the flu.
• Practice good cough etiquette. The flu spreads through the air. “When you cough or sneeze you don’t always see how far that cough can spread,” Pavlak says. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, dispose of the tissue in a garbage can, and then clean your hands.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. How often do you open a door, click a remote control or touch something someone else has touched (or sneezed and coughed on)? How often do you then touch your eyes, nose or mouth? This is one way you can get sick. Pavlak adds, “It’s really important that you wash your hands with soap and water really well before you eat.”
• Keep your distance. Put some space — about six feet — between you and others to cut down on the spread of the virus.
• Educate family and friends. Visit www.flu.gov for comprehensive information on seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. Find out if family members are high-risk and get them vaccinated.
• Eat well, exercise and sleep. Your body fends off illness better when it starts off healthy. “Remember what happens when you run yourself down,” says Pavlak. “That’s the time that you get sick.”
• If you get sick, stay home and, if possible, stay in a separate room from family members.
• Finally, consult with your physician if you have concerns or underlying health conditions.
For physician information or referral, call 708-660-INFO (4636).
For more information, please call Emily Dagostino in the Marketing and Communications Department at 708-660-3644.
“Prevention is the key because the flu is a virus,” says Deborah Pavlak, RN, CIC, Infection Control Professional at Rush Oak Park Hospital. “That’s why we encourage everyone to get a seasonal flu vaccine every year.”
You can protect your health and prevent the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1 flu by following these steps:
• Get vaccinated.
• Clean your hands often. Hand hygiene is essential. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are very effective against the flu.
• Practice good cough etiquette. The flu spreads through the air. “When you cough or sneeze you don’t always see how far that cough can spread,” Pavlak says. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, dispose of the tissue in a garbage can, and then clean your hands.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. How often do you open a door, click a remote control or touch something someone else has touched (or sneezed and coughed on)? How often do you then touch your eyes, nose or mouth? This is one way you can get sick. Pavlak adds, “It’s really important that you wash your hands with soap and water really well before you eat.”
• Keep your distance. Put some space — about six feet — between you and others to cut down on the spread of the virus.
• Educate family and friends. Visit www.flu.gov for comprehensive information on seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. Find out if family members are high-risk and get them vaccinated.
• Eat well, exercise and sleep. Your body fends off illness better when it starts off healthy. “Remember what happens when you run yourself down,” says Pavlak. “That’s the time that you get sick.”
• If you get sick, stay home and, if possible, stay in a separate room from family members.
• Finally, consult with your physician if you have concerns or underlying health conditions.
For physician information or referral, call 708-660-INFO (4636).
For more information, please call Emily Dagostino in the Marketing and Communications Department at 708-660-3644.
