How to protect yourself and others against influenza?

Choose to immunize

Immunization continues to be our best defence against influenza
More...

Clean your hands!

Next to immunization, the single most important way to prevent influenza is to clean your hands frequently and thoroughly
More...

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing

• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands.
• Throw away tissues after wiping your nose or covering a cough.
• Clean hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
• Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay home if you are sick

• Stay home from work or school when ill until you are feeling better. Avoid leaving home unless medical care is needed.
• Avoid close contact with others while contagious (usually for seven days) if possible.

Stay healthy

• Eat healthy foods and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong. For information on healthy eating and active living, go to: www.healthyalberta.com
• Rest and get plenty of sleep.
• Don’t smoke. Avoid second hand smoke.

Other ways to protect yourself and others against influenza

• Avoid large gatherings when influenza is circulating in your community to minimize exposure to the virus.
• Visit those who have influenza only if necessary, and stand more than two metres (six feet) away from them.
• Keep personal items separate if a household member is sick. Clean surfaces around them with regular household cleaners.
• Do not share personal items or drinks.
• Clean shared surfaces such as door handles, light switches, telephones, computer keyboards, etc. frequently with regular household cleaners.

Be prepared

Everyone should plan ahead in case they become ill with influenza. This is especially important if you live alone, are a single parent or a caregiver.

• Put together a home preparedness kit before anyone gets sick.
• Have non-perishable foods, fluids and health and cleaning supplies, such as tissues, alcohol based hand sanitizer, medication for fever and a thermometer on hand.
• Arrange for a backup caregiver for loved ones, in case you are ill. The best caregiver is someone who does not have risk factors for complications of influenza e.g. people with health problems or women who are pregnant.
• Have a back-up plan if child care facilities or schools close and you must continue working. 
• If you are at risk of complications, talk to your health care provider about what to do if you get sick.