To fight the flu, the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, practicing good hygiene, and taking antivirals if prescribed.

Click image to enlarge infographic.

Another flu vaccine? Absolutely. And now’s the time! Flu is a big deal, costing millions of dollars in healthcare and lost wages—and causing days or weeks of misery. Getting vaccinated is the best way for you (and others within six feet of coughs and sneezes) to stay healthy. This year, three vaccines are available at pharmacies and doctors’ offices for people ages 18 to 64: a nasal-spray, a regular flu shot, and one featuring an ultra-thin needle. Additionally, a high-dose flu shot is approved for the 65-plus set.

Each flu season is unique and unpredictable. The 2011/2012 season began in February 2012—the latest start in 24 years. So, be prepared. Get vaccinated now. Then, follow the flu with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu Map or the free “Fight the Flu” app from FluFACTS. When the super-contagious respiratory infection comes to your town, avoid crowds when you can. Vaccines are not 100 percent effective and the disease spreads easily wherever people congregate—in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums, and public transit systems. It takes most people two days to two weeks to recover from the flu, according to the CDC.

Older Americans are hit especially hard by the flu, accounting for 90 percent of flu-related deaths. Click here for critical information from the CDC and the National Council on Aging urging all older adults to get a flu vaccine.

Another Flu Vaccine? Really? The Saturday Evening Post

Shingles Solutions The Saturday Evening Post

Schools across the country are reporting their first cases of the newly identified H1N1 flu (earlier called the “swine flu”). And every state will likely see sporadic to widespread cases before the typical flu season winds down sometime next spring.

How can you minimize your risk? Leading experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration offer the following advice for fighting H1N1 and seasonal flus.

Avoid flu viruses.
DO keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you are ill, this helps prevent infecting others. If you’re healthy, it helps you stay that way. H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses may live for hours on hard surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and computer keyboards.

DON’T depend on wearing a facemask for complete flu protection. In general, the use of facemasks is not recommended in community and home settings.

Follow vaccine recommendations.
DO consider flu shots. Nearly everyone is advised to get the seasonal flu shot. Exceptions may include those with an egg allergy or a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. People who are ill should usually delay vaccination until they recover. About 45 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine (from five manufacturers) are expected by mid-October, with up to 195 million doses by year’s end. Target groups for vaccination focus on those at most risk of infection and severe disease, including pregnant women, children and young adults ages 6 months through 24 years, and people 25 to 64 with medical conditions that predispose them to complications of the flu. Health care workers and emergency medical service workers, as well as those who care for infants not yet old enough to be vaccinated, are also encouraged to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

DON’T assume that flu vaccines provide immediate and full protection. Remember to wash hands frequently with soap and water, cover your cough, and stay home if you are sick. When possible, avoid being within about six feet of a person with influenza-like illness.

Stay informed.
DO watch for new reports about emerging trends and prevention strategies. Study findings expected in mid-September will indicate whether one or two doses of the H1N1 vaccine provide adequate immunity against the novel virus.

DON’T let your guard down. Influenza is unpredictable. Current levels of flu activity in the United States are low. But any influenza at this time of year is unusual—and most of the confirmed cases are the H1N1 flu.

H1N1: Can You Minimize Your Risk? The Saturday Evening Post