Take an active role in staying healthy and preventing the spread of influenza. Follow these simple steps:
- Get an annual flu shot
Encourage your co-workers to do the same. Make sure your family members get a flu shot too!
- Flu Shots - Key Facts:
- You cannot get the flu from the flu shot – there is no live virus in the vaccine.
- The flu shot cannot make you sick (unlike flu vaccines in the past)
- The flu shot reduces your chance of getting the flu
- The flu shot protects people with chronic conditions who are more vulnerable to the flu
- The flu shot protects caregivers and their loved ones
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Wash your hands frequently
Twenty seconds of hand washing with warm water and soap helps remove bacteria and viruses. Wash before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after touching surfaces that may have been contaminated by other people.
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Cover your coughs or sneezes
Use a tissue, or raise your arm up to your face to cough or sneeze into your sleeve. If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands immediately.
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Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes
Germs spread this way!
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Keep shared surface areas clean
Clean and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces regularly
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Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat a proper diet, exercise, and take time for relaxation.
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If you get sick, stay home!
Wait until you no longer have a fever and your cough is improving.
Talk about staying healthy
Encourage your co-workers to follow these simple steps. Talk about ways to stay healthy with your neighbour. If you have children, be a good role model. Teach them to count to 20 while washing their hands and show them how to cover up when they cough or sneeze.
*This content is adapted from information provided by the Public Health Agency
of Canada