• 5 minutes to get vaccinated, or the increased risk of 2+ weeks to recover from the flu?
• Flu outbreaks are preventable if everyone gets their shot.
• More than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized annually from flu complications.
• You can spread the flu before you even know you are sick.
• The flu vaccine lasts for the entire flu season!
• Call to make an appointment (607) 274-3177

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Wipe down/clean shared surfaces (doorknobs, keyboards, phones, etc.) with disinfectant.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Get a seasonal flu vaccine.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest

Most individuals who develop flu symptoms can recover at home with little or no medical intervention. However, appropriate self-care is important. We encourage all members of our living and learning communities to prepare a health kit for self-care during the flu season.

What should be in a health kit for flu season?

• Fever and pain relievers (Acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
• Cough syrups (Two types of cough syrups are useful: an expectorant with main ingredient ingredient guaifenesin and a suppressant with main ingredient dextromethorphan)
• Nasal sprays (Saline nasal spray or a corticosteroid spray such as Nasacort with the main ingredient Triamcinolone - used to treat stuffy/runny nose, itchy eyes/nose/throat, sneezing)
• Decongestants (pseudoephedrine - narrows blood vessels in the nose lining allowing swollen tissue to shrink and air to flow more easily)
• Hand Sanitizer (A good hand sanitizer should be at least 60 percent alcohol)
• Thermometer (Know your temperature! 100.4 F degrees or higher is considered a fever)
• Fluids (aim to drink enough fluids to make your urine clear or light yellow, which indicates proper hydration)
• Tissues (lots and lots of tissues. Don't let used tissues lie around the house. Get them in the trash right after they are used. If a tissue isn't handy, cough into your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently)