The influenza virus or “flu” is a respiratory virus that circulates in the fall and winter months. The flu can spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing and having face-to-face contact. The flu can cause mild-severe respiratory illness. The best way to prevent infection is through getting the seasonal influenza vaccine in combination with following current public health guidelines around wearing masks, gloves and practicing regular hand hygiene.
Some tips to avoid getting – and spreading – the flu (and COVID-19) are:
- Getting the flu shot. The flu shot is different every year because the influenza virus changes frequently. The COVID-19 vaccine does not provide protection against season influenza.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often. Even if you have received the flu shot, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the virus from spreading.
- Don’t touch your face. The flu virus spreads when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk – and droplets enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and shared items.