BACK TO SCHOOL

It’s not too late for a flu shot: The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Not too fond of the needle? Most people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are generally healthy and not pregnant can get the nasal spray version of the flu shot. Anyone 6 months of age and older can get the flu shot.

Hand washing: Over and over and over again; Washing hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time, helps prevent the flu from spreading. You can’t get the flu from the air, only from contact. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice and you will know you’ve washed long enough.

If you have the flu: Stay home from work and school when you have the flu, to avoid spreading the virus to other people.

FLU TRIVIA… Did you know…

“Influenza,” the name for the virus that causes flu, comes from an Italian word which means “to influence.” In medieval Europe, people thought flu outbreaks were caused by the movement of the stars.

The flu has been around for a long time. Hippocrates, who was born in 460 BC and died in 370 BC, described the symptoms of the flu; so we know it was around in his day.

Why cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze? When we cough, droplets of saliva travel from our mouths at speeds up to 60 mph. Droplets in a sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph.

A handkerchief that has been used for only half a minute can contain 15,000 germs. Are you sure you want to keep that in your pocket?