How to protect yourself during flu season

So I will get the flu shot.  What else can I do to protect myself, my family and others I contact?

               During flu season, be mindful to protect yourself.  Wash your hands often with soap and water.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good 2^nd choice for hand hygiene. 

               Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and throw the tissue away after use.  If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your shirt sleeve and protect those around you.  If you forget to use your shirt sleeve and sneeze into your hand, please immediately wash your hands with soap and water/alcohol based sanitizer before you touch anything with your hand. 

               If you have symptoms of flu (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fever, feeling bad and fatigued) please limit your contact with people.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that “you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care of for other necessities.  Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.”  CDC Says Take 3 Actions to Fight the Flu at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

               If your doctor prescribes anti-virals, take them to shorten the flu illness and make it a lighter case.  Flu antivirals are most effective is started within 2 days of symptom onset.