Health Spot
Flu prevention
By Brenda Coble RN

Here we are beginning the fourth quarter of the year. Our children are back in school and going strong. The weather has been mmm...okay.

With weather changes and children back in school it seems that our incidence of illness goes up. October is the beginning month to think about flu season.

Prevention is the best policy. We should encourage our body's defense mechanisms to help us with flu prevention.

We should always get plenty of rest. Eight and a half to nine and a half hours for most adults and eight to fifteen hours for children, depending on their age.

Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals in accordance with your diet regimen. For information on the food pyramid see the Indiana State Department of Health and Center for Disease Control's Web sites.

WASH YOUR HANDS! Germs are passed easily with touch. And we touch everything... money, computer keys, telephones, door knobs and each other for starters. Washing our hands is our first line of defense. When you cough or sneeze, do so into your sleeve.

These are good health habits the CDC says to use to prevent flu: *Avoid close contact with those who are ill; *Stay home when you are sick; *Cover your mouth and nose; *Clean your hands frequently; and *Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Another way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine. CDC says anyone who wants to reduce chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.

CDC says people who should be vaccinated each year are:

+ People at high risk for complications from the flu, such as children age 6-59 months, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

+ People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months, and health care workers.

Talk to your physician if you have concerns with taking the flu vaccine. Do your best to stay healthy. Get plenty of rest. Eat nutritious meals, and drink plenty of water.