HHS HealthBeat (December 14, 2009)

Take three against the flu

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ted Pestorius with HHS HealthBeat.

In just three steps, you can do the most important things to fight the flu.

The first is to get your flu shot – for seasonal flu, if you haven’t gotten it yet, and for 2009 H1N1, if you’re in one of the high-priority groups. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Joe Bresee:

[Dr. Joe Bresee speaks] "These are people like pregnant women, the youngest children, or people with underlying health disorders like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease."

The second is to avoid giving others the flu if you have it. You can do this by covering your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze, and washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

And the third is to take antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ted Pestorius.

Last revised: May 7, 2011