The Dreaded Cold & Flu Season ...

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

• People over the age of 50, especially those 65 and older
• All children 6-23 months of age
• Nursing home residents or people living in any chronic-care facility
• Adults and children with chronic health problems (e.g. diabetes, asthma, etc.)
• Children and teenagers age 2 to 18 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy
• Women who will be pregnant or breastfeeding during flu season
• People with a lowered immune system due to cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, etc.
• Adults and children living with someone who is at high risk for flu complications
• Household contacts of children under age 2
• Healthcare employees and volunteers, and workers in long-term care facilities.
• Students or others living in communal settings
• Anyone who wants to decrease their chances of getting the flu

Cold and Flu Prevention:

• Wash hands before eating and after using the restroom.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who have a cold or the flu.
• Keep your fingers away from your nose and eyes.
• When taking antibiotics, ALWAYS finish the prescription.
• Decrease stress and get plenty of rest.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.

Tips to Help You Beat It:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of water, including hot fluids.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid smoking and second hand smoke. Breathe humidified air to loosen congestion.
• Gargle warm salt water to soothe a sore throat.
• Use hard candy to help relieve a dry, raspy throat or cough.

Help Prevent Resistant Bacteria

1) Do not demand antibiotics from your doctor. If your doctor believes that your cold or flu symptoms are due to a virus, he or she may not give you an antibiotic since it will not work. Instead, your doctor may suggest other medications, such as Tylenol, Sudafed, or Robitussin that will help relieve symptoms like fever, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, or cough.

2) When you do receive antibiotics, always take the full prescription exactly as the doctor ordered. Although you may feel better in a few days, it is very important that you finish the entire prescription. Doing so will ensure that ALL of the bacteria are killed and prevent your infection from coming back.

3) Never take “leftover” antibiotics from previous prescriptions for yourself or others.
You may have a virus and antibiotics will not be effective. Even if you have a bacterial infection, it is important to let a physician assess your symptoms and determine which antibiotic would be right for you. Antibiotics kill specific bacteria, and the leftover antibiotic may not help other infections—it might even make your infection worse.