Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we're talking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. The most effective way of preventing the flu is to be vaccinated every year. But there are other things you can do to protect yourself from the flu and other illnesses.
Dr. James Luby, an infectious diseases specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has these suggestions: Avoid close contact with sick people, and avoid close contact with others when you're sick so you don't pass your illness on. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially after close contact with another person. Your hands are a major carrier of germs, so try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, where germs can get into your body.
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October 2006
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