What You Can Do
You can take steps now to prepare for a pandemic flu
Listed below are ways you can reduce your risk of getting sick, as well as help limit the spread of illness to others.
- Stay healthy by eating a well-balanced diet, being active each day, and drinking plenty of water.
- Stay informed by keeping up-to-date on pandemic influenza and other health hazards in your area. Listen to the radio and television, read news stories, and check the internet. Look for information that comes from credible sources, such as your local health department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
- You can take simple steps to help stop influenza viruses from spreading:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- When you are sick, stay home and limit your contact with other people. Do not send sick children to school or to daycare. You can spread the virus to others 1 day before you develop flu symptoms and up to 7 days after you become ill.
- Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or use a tissue. If you use a tissue, only use it once and put in the trash right away. Then be sure to wash your hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick (typically a distance of 3 feet or less).
- Wash and sanitize commonly touched surfaces (such as doorknobs and countertops) with a sanitizing solution.
View an online webcast to learn more about preparing for a pandemic flu:
Duration: 1 hour
