Tips to survive flu season

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt Valda Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus.

Even though we are well into the flu season, the flu shot is still available at the clinic here at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. All Department of Defense ID card holders and Tricare beneficiaries are eligible to receive the vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control website, "The single best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine each season."

The website, www.cdc.gov, also has the following information:

--Symptoms of the flu are fever (feeling feverish with chills), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue(very tired) and some may have vomiting and diarrhea.

--The flu is spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. A person might also get the flu by touching an object that has the flu virus and then touching his or her own mouth, eyes or nose.

--You may be contagious one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

--Here are some everyday tips to stop the spread of germs:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it in the trash after you use it.
  •  Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with a flu-like illness, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
For additional information on the flu, please visit www.cdc.gov and www.flu.gov. For information specifically about Europe please visit http://www.who.int/topics/influenza/en/ and http://www.euroflu.org/html/maps.html.