Seasonal Influenza
Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that can be serious. Every year, millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu. The Riley County Health Department urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from flu.
1. Get yourself and your family vaccinated!
A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins in their community. The Riley County Health Department recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Learn more about vaccine timing.
Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even in some schools. Riley County Health Department offers several outreach flu vaccine clinics with a large majority in the month of October. See "Flu Clinic" tab for dates, times, and locations.
Protect Yourself. Protect Your Family. Get Vaccinated.
2. Take everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of flu viruses!
Persons confirmed to have influenza are required to stay home for seven days following onset of symptoms per Kansas regulation. According to CDC, persons with influenza are considered infectious for 5-7 days after becoming sick.
Avoid close contact with sick people, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands often (with soap and water), and clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with flu viruses. The flu virus can "live" on some surfaces for up to 48 hours.
If you become sick, limit contact with others as much as possible. Remember to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw tissues in the trash after you use them. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine before resuming normal activities.)
3. Take Antiviral Drugs if Your Doctor Prescribes Them!
If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat flu illness.
Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia.