This year, protect yourself from the flu.

The influenza (flu) virus can strike at any time of year. The flu typically causes fever, chills, headache, sore throat, and fatigue. If you develop these symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home from work or school and avoiding contact with others until 24 hours after your fever subsides.

Keep the Bug at Bay

Before flu hits, keep your guard up with these preventive steps:

• Wash your hands regularly using antibacterial soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is great to use when you’re on the go.
• Avoid hand-to-face contact, as bacteria finds its way into your body through your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Don’t smoke. Enhanced immunity is one of the many benefits associated with quitting smoking. If you smoke, you may be more vulnerable to viral infections such as the flu.
• Get vaccinated. Flu shots are recommended for most people, especially children, pregnant women, and health care providers.

“Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent the flu,” says Daniel Sexton, MD, director of the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network and epidemiologist at Durham Regional Hospital. “To opt out of vaccination is to ignore your health and the health of others.”