Some things to know about the flu

During the spring of 2009 a new flu virus started making people sick in the United States and throughout the world. At first this illness was called

"swine flu," but now you may hear it called novel (new) H1N1 influenza. To date, most people effected with the novel H1N1 flu virus have experienced mild to moderate illness, similar to seasonal flu. However, the flu can be serious, and many more people may get the flu this year.

What can you do to keep yourself healthy?

Get the seasonal flu vaccine now. It won't protect you from novel H1N1 flu, but seasonal flu is also circulating and can make you just as sick.

Get the novel H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it is available.  According to the priority groups established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Everyone should eventually be able to get the novel H1N1 flu vaccine, but those at highest priority are: pregnant women; health care workers and emergency medical responders; people caring for infants under 6 months of age; children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years; people aged 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)

Sick people should stay home! They should NOT go to school, work, or out in public. If you think you have the flu, you should stay home and away from others. Individuals with flu-like symptoms should remain home for at least 24 hours after fever has disappeared (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

Practice healthy habits. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue - not your hand. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Wash hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Wash and rub hands for 20 seconds - as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

The above information was provided by the New York State Health Department.  For more information about the flu and vaccinations, please click here.