The document provides information from the CDC on preventing the flu. It recommends getting sufficient sleep, exercising regularly, staying hydrated by drinking water and avoiding sugar, reducing stress, washing hands often, and eating fruits and vegetables. These everyday steps can help strengthen the immune system and reduce the chances of contracting the flu or spreading it to others.

1. Preventing the Flu By Carol Smith Information found according to the Center for Disease Control Health Topic

2. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: www.flu.gov www.flu.gov

3. Don’t Spread your Germs!

7. Flu symptoms can be mild to lethal Can include coughing, sore throat, runny or even stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue

8. H1N1 Symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea So what can you do?

9. KEEP GERMS TO YOURSELF

10. www.fluhelp.org Get Enough sleep Most people need 8 hours of sleep per night Your immune system will function better when you have enough sleep You can’t fight off the flu virus when your body is fatigued

11. Exercise will help keep your immune system strong Regular Exercise and sufficient sleep reduces stress levels Exercise Regularly

12. Drink Lots of Pure Water & Avoid Sugar Shoot for 8 ounces of water every day Keeping mucous membranes hydrated helps fight off viruses A large amount of sugar, like the amount found in a can of regular soda, hurts immune function

13. *** Reduce Stress *** Prolonged stress is responsible for 90% of all illness and disease Too much stress has a high impact on overall health Meditation is an easy, enjoyable stress buster!

14. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN You can use alcohol based hand sanitizer after touching items frequently touched by others – like door knobs

15. EAT FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Brightly Colored fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy phytonutrients that help fight off the flu

16. Now that you know what you can dodon’t let it be you! THE END