The DeKalb County
Health Department

·        Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

·        If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

·        Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. 

·        Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.  When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable handwipes or gel sanitizers may be used.

·        Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

·        Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.  The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.  Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu.  Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.  Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.