3 Important Things You Should Know About the Flu

The simplest way: Get your flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot (with rare exception). This is especially important for people with certain chronic medical conditions, as they’re at higher risk of flu-related complications. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Other ways to help prevent the flu include:

• Be Careful What You Touch: During flu season, wash your hands regularly using warm water and soap, especially after shaking hands or touching surfaces in public spaces. And don’t share utensils, glasses, or plates with anyone, even if you think they’re flu-free, as adults can be contagious even before their symptoms start.
• Follow the Basic Rule of 3: Building your immune system will help you fight off the flu, and comes down to these tried and true basics: Eat a balanced, healthy diet; exercise regularly; and get a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night.

Uh-oh. Even though you’ve been careful, your nose is running, you’re tired and you feel miserable. How can you tell what you have?

Symptoms of a cold include:

• runny and/or stuffy nose
• sneezing and/or coughing
• sore throat
• mild headache and/or body aches
• mild-to-moderate fever
• mild tiredness

Sick of sneezing? Here are 7 tips to help you prevent a cold.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• runny and stuffy nose
• dry, wracking cough and sore throat
• severe muscle or body aches
• moderate-to-high fever (not everyone runs a fever)
• chills and extreme fatigue

Yep, it’s the flu. So now what do you do? Take care of yourself, and others:

• Ask About Antivirals: Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that can lessen your symptoms and shorten the flu by 1 to 2 days.
• Rest and Recover: This is the time to take to your bed, or couch, or anywhere you can relax and get the rest you need, so your body can battle the flu.
• Drink Up: A fever is your body’s way of fighting back, but it can also be dehydrating. Drink juices, water, electrolyte drinks, and broth-based soups to stay hydrated.
• Combat Congestion: Keeping your nasal passages and throat moist can help you feel better, and ease congestion. Run a humidifier or sit in a steamy bathroom to help with a stuffy nose and coughs. Then, use saline nose drops or sprays to both moisturize irritated nasal passages and clear away congestion, without irritating your throat. ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ products are 100% natural, and can be used along with other over-the-counter and prescription medications — as often as needed — to safely flush out nasal and sinus passages, and clear congestion.
• Keep Your Germs to Yourself: Just one cough or sneeze can expel flu germs up to 6 feet away! Limit your contact with others, cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent the flu from spreading, wash your hands, and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks.