4 steps you can take to prevent the flu

Flu season is here and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) wants to remind you of steps you can take to ward off the flu.

Residents are encouraged to get their flu shot now if they have not already. It is not too late. The vaccine is safe and recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. To locate a flu shot near you, contact your health care provider or use the Florida Department of Health’s flu shot locator: www.floridahealth.gov/findaflushot.

Flu prevention steps you can take:

• practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands
• make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office
• take additional steps to ward off the flu by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoiding touching your face
• if you are sick, stay at home to mitigate the transmission of the virus

Visit FluFreeFlorida.com for more information on how you can be a part of #FluFreeFlorida. Visit www.floridahealth.gov/floridaflu for more information on influenza and influenza-like illness in Florida.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.