Flu season is fast approaching
Flu season is fast approaching and there has been a lot of concern regarding H1N1 (Swine Flu). GoodTemps presents a few simple things you can to do protect against the flu:
Preventative measures
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze
- Wash your hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based sanitizers
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Try to avoid contact with sick people
- Stay home if you are experience flu-like symptoms
- Get vaccinated (see below)
High risk groups that should receive vaccinations include
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
Flu shots are available at no cost at Health Department clinics in each borough. No appointment necessary. Any New Yorker can also call 311 for clinic locations and other sites where the flu vaccine is being offered, or you can use the flu clinic locator online at www.nyc.gov/health/flu. New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation also offers free and low cost flu shots and FluMist at public hospitals throughout the city. For information, visit www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/services/flushots.shtml