Each year in the United States, about 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications; children 5 years old and younger make up 20,000 of those hospitalized; and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu.

While no one knows exactly what will happen with 2009 H1N1 influenza (previously known as swine flu) this flu season, as many as one in four Californians could be affected with mild, moderate or severe symptoms.

Do what you can to fight the flu and stay healthy!

1 | Vaccinate

Get your flu shots as your first step in fighting the flu.

• More than two vaccines will help protect us this year—one for the regular flu season and possibly two more for H1N1.
• You will need all of them.

2 | Stop the spread of germs

• Practice good health habits like washing your hands regularly with soap, covering your cough and staying home when sick.
• Sneeze or cough into the bend of your arm or use a tissue.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs from entering your body.
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
• Call your family doctor first if you feel worse.

3 | Take care if you get the flu

If you have the flu, you may feel very sick and tired as well as achy, feverish and dehydrated. Sore throat, dry cough, runny or stuffy
nose, headache or sometimes diarrhea can be common.

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce fever. Do not give children aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Keep separate from other members of your household.
• Do not use alcohol or tobacco.
• If you have severe illness or are at high risk for flu complications, contact your doctor or seek medical care.

More Information

For more information on H1N1, go to www.flu.gov