<p>How to Help Control
the Spread of Flu
This information is provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, friends,
volunteers, and employees. It describes ways to help control the spread of influenza (flu) within our homes and
keep ourselves and those around us as healthy as possible.
Get A Flu Shot: Getting a flu shot each year
is the best way to slow the spread of flu. The VA and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommend that everyone age 6 months and older get a
flu shot each year.
Stay Home When Sick: Because flu spreads
easily from person to person, stay home when you are
sick. Studies show you are most contagious and likely to
spread flu virus to others for at least 5 days after your first
symptoms start AND at least 48 hours after your last fever.
Clean Your Hands: Clean your hands before
and after caring for a sick person, and after coughing or
sneezing. Wash your hands with soap and water or use
hand sanitizer. Sick people should clean their hands too!
Cover Your Coughs And Sneezes: Use
clean tissues and discard after use. Coughing or sneezing
into your sleeve is OK when you don’t have a tissue. Always
clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.
Keep Surfaces Clean: Flu virus can live on
surfaces for up to 48 hours. Use household cleaners to
clean surfaces that are touched often such as phones,
faucets, light switches, countertops, handles on doors and
cabinets, keyboard and mouse, and TV remotes.
Wash All Eating Utensils And
Drinking Glasses Well: No need to separate
a sick person’s utensils or drinking glasses or do any
special washing or sterilizing.
Change Bedding And Towels: Clean
your hands after touching soiled laundry. No need to
clean a sick person’s laundry separately.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose,
And Mouth: Germs often spread this way.
Wear A Mask: When giving care to a sick person.
Avoid Getting Too Close: Keep at least
six feet away from the sick person whenever possible.
Separate a sick person