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What You Can Do

You can take steps now to prepare for a pandemic flu

Listed below are ways you can reduce your risk of getting sick, as well as help limit the spread of flu illness to others.

Stay healthy by eating a well balanced diet, exercise daily, and drink plenty of water.
Stay informed by keeping up-to-date on pandemic influenza. Listen to the radio and television, read news stories and check the Web. We recommend that you look for credible sources of information such as your local health department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Here are some common-sense steps that can help stop influenza viruses from spreading:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
When you are sick, stay home and limit your contact with other people. Do not send sick children to school or daycare. You can spread the virus to others one day before you develop flu symptoms and up to seven days after you become ill.
Cover your cough and sneezes with tissues or in your sleeve. Throw tissue away in the trash and then wash your hands with soap and water.
Avoid close contact (typically a distance of 3 feet or less) with people who are sick.
Wash and sanitize commonly touched surfaces with a sanitizing solution.