Church Partnership Newsletter 12-2017 CP Newsletter | Page 2

Preventative Steps to Take
 Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
 While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from
infecting them.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for
at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for
other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of
a fever-reducing medicine.)

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after you use it.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
 Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting
against flu viruses.
Who should get vaccinated?
 Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.
 Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and
school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Flu shots are approved for use in pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions. There are flu
shots that also are approved for use in people as young as 6 months of age and up.

CDC recommends use of the flu shot (inactivated influenza vaccine or IIV) and the recombinant influenza
vaccine (RIV). The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) should not be used
during 2017-2018.

Vaccination also is important for and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from
spreading flu to them.

Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated.
People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.