Wellness Ministry Article
September, 2012
INFLUENZA (or Flu)
Cause – Viruses (there are hundreds of strains waiting to
infect us)
Transmitted by airborne water droplets from nose and
mouth by:
Sneezing
Coughing
Blowing your nose
Breathing into another’s face
Touching your nose or mouth and
then touching a surface that others touch
Prevent the spread of the flu virus by:
Staying home when you are ill.
Covering your mouth when
sneezing or coughing (into your elbow not your hands).
Getting a flu shot (the number
one prevention activity) and now is the time to do this.
Washing your hands thoroughly and wiping with
disposable towels.
Using disposable tissues when blowing your
nose and then throwing them away.
Wearing a mask if you must be around others
when you are sick.
Ways to prevent the flu from making you sick:
Get
the flu vaccine (The ideal time is early fall but any time will help you build
protection.)
Wash
your hands often and thoroughly:
Before eating, after using the
rest room, after eating, before handling food, after blowing your nose, after
caring for someone who is ill.
Drink
8 glasses of water or the equivalent daily.
Get
8 hours of sleep each night to keep your immune system at peak functioning.
Stay
away from those who are sick.
Wear
a mask if you must care for those who are sick.
Eat
a well balanced diet daily to keep your body healthy.
Antibiotics will NOT cure the Flu. They should only be
used if you develop a secondary bacterial infection. Do not insist that your doctor
give you an antibiotic to prevent an infection. This practice is what is
responsible for the antibiotic resistant strains of some bacteria.
Take care and have a healthy winter.
