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Please note: All physicians featured are on the medical staff of Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Many of these physicians are in private practice and as independent practitioners, are not employees or agents of NHMC. Information contained in this publication is not intended for purpose of diagnosis or prescribing. Please consult your physician before taking on any form of medical treatment, exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Actions To Fight The Flu

Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is important everyday, not just during flu season.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, use soap and available water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

Visit our flu health tips page to learn more about preventing the flu.

Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

• Take time to get a flu vaccine.
• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. 
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season's vaccines are available.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Visit the CDC's flu page for more information on “Take 3” Actions To Fight The Flu".