Concerned about influenza? Simple, routine healthy habits can help keep you and your family protected:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school – and generally avoid going out in public. Remain home until 24 hours after your symptoms resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications. This is to keep from spreading the virus.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
• If you're ill, take plenty of fluids.
• Get both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza vaccinations as soon as either becomes available to you.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms and want to consult your healthcare provider, call before going in for an office visit. You may not need to go in (see below).
• If you do need to be seen, you should set up a time when you will not risk exposing others to influenza in the waiting room.
• People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their healthcare provider if they have flu symptoms or have been closely exposed to people with flu symptoms (see below).

It's not necessary to see a healthcare provider if you're generally healthy and you develop flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and body aches. Do call your provider if you have flu symptoms and you:

• Are pregnant
• Have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition
• Have a compromised immune system, such as during cancer treatment, following transplantation, or have HIV/AIDS
• Develop severe symptoms

Click on the graphic below for the latest influenza-related information.