THE FLU SEASON HAS BEGUN! ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

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1 THE FLU SEASON HAS BEGUN! ARE YOU READY FOR IT? This flu season could be the worst Dallas County and the North Texas area has seen in years, and we want YOU to be prepared. Please take the time to review the information we have put together to help protect you from the FLU! Felicia Pitre Dallas County District Clerk

2 THE FLU IS CONTAGIOUS Flu is more than just a nuisance. Influenza can be a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease. It can lead to complications such as pneumonia. It can also lead to hospitalization and even death. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 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 may still spread the virus to others.

3 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcoholbased hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after you use it.

4 EASY WAYS to PROTECT YOURSELF Get plenty of exercise and sleep. Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy food. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

5 HOW FLU SPREADS People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose

6 WHAT ARE FLU SYMTOMS? Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Fever* or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (tiredness) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

7 HOW CAN I LESSEN MY CHANCES OF GETTING THE FLU??? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that EVERYONE get the flu shot this year. Our County Employee Health Clinic offers them FOR FREE to Dallas County employees. They are offered from 1:30-4:00 at the Health Clinic in the Records Building. Walk in, sign up, and sit down! It is quick and virtually pain free!

8 BUT CAN T I GET SICK FROM THE FLU SHOT? The CDC wants to spread the word that NO!!!! You cannot get the flu from the influenza vaccine. The viruses in the flu shot are killed and the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened, so neither vaccine can cause the flu. A flu shot can have mild side effects, such as soreness or swelling where the vaccine was received, a mild fever, or aches. Mild side effects of the nasal spray can include runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. Any side effects you experience are not contagious to others and should disappear within 2 days.

9 I M NOT FEELING SO GOOD. When to call in sick to work!!! Fever: If your temperature is degrees or higher, then stay home. Don't return to work until 24 hours after your fever has subsided. Vomiting or Diarrhea: Stay home, of course. And stay home for an additional 24 hours once you have stopped vomiting. Cough and Runny nose: If you have a persistent cough accompanied by green mucus buildup and a runny nose that you must constantly blow to keep it clear, then stay home. If it's only slightly stuffy, and you aren't having trouble breathing, then it's probably all right to go to work. Coughs that are dry, while annoying at times, are fine at work. Please cough in the crook of your arm and avoid coughing in hands.

10 And finally If you are sick, the most important thing to do is REST! As much as we appreciate your dedication, we do not want to get sick, too! Please stay home until you are fever and symptom free.