Prevention

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. Contact your health care provider to find out if you should get a flu vaccine. 

 

To prevent transmission of the flu:

 

-          Cover your nose and moth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 

-          Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze

-          Rinse and dry hands with a disposable towel and use towel to turn faucet off;

-          Use an alcohol-based sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water;

-          Try to avoid close contact with sick people; and

-          Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep;

  

If you get the flu the CDC and the Wyoming Department of Health recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Refrain from visiting a nursing home if you have flu-like symptoms. Antiviral drugs are an important treatment option if you contract influenza (they are not a substitute for vaccination).  Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).