In Texas, Hunt ISD closed an entire school due to the flu.  According to the Superintendent, Dr. Dockery, over 1/3 of the school was diagnosed with the flu and 5 staff members were also diagnosed. Flu prep needs to start today!

Whether or not you decide to vaccinate your family, there are things you can do to prevent the flu.

Prepare for the flu:  3 Steps to Prevention

1.  Wash Your Hands Often.  You’ve heard it over and over but this is honestly the biggest step to take.  Think about the surfaces your fingers come into contact with in a day.  Always wash your hands well upon returning from out of the house, before eating, after using the restroom, after touching pets and periodically throughout the day.
2. Stay Home When Sick.  When you are sick you aren’t going to be as productive as you are normally and there is no reason to spread those germs onto others.  No matter how careful you are to keep your germs to yourself, the safest bet is to just stay home until you’ve been
   fever free without medication for at least 24 hours.  This may seem like a “once you are sick” tip but this prevents others from getting ill as well.
3. Take Care of Yourself.  Keep your body in fighting shape so that germs don’t stand a chance. Get your sleep, eat well and exercise regularly.

How to Flu Prep

1.  Be Ready with Fluids.  Have some extra fluids stashed away this time of year just in case.  Good ideas are 7-up, Gator-Aid or Pedialite in addition to water.  Staying hydrated helps flush out those germs and makes sure you don’t get dehydrated.  Small sips throughout the day are best when nauseated.
2. Get Your Rest.  You already know not to leave the house when sick…but make sure that you are actually resting.  I know, it’s much easier said than done for Moms.  It’s okay for your family to eat left overs, take out or even cereal if you’re really sick!  They’ll be fine for a day or two.  Do the bare minimum until your energy picks back up.
3. Keep Medication On Hand.  It’s always a good idea to keep motrin and Tylenol on hand just in case you need it, as well as whatever anti-nausea medication works well for you.  Just make sure to check it periodically to make sure it isn’t expired.

Follow these quick tips and follow the Center for Disease Control Guidelines to ensure that you adequately prepare for the flu this year.

What do you do for flu prep?

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