Influenza (the flu)
Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by the influenza virus, which
infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). The flu usually spreads from person
to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks and the virus is sent into the
air. Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu
causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. Choose a flu
fact sheet from the Kent County Health Department here, or read more...Don't spread your germs to
others, and keep from catching someone else’s germs.
Keep your germs to yourself:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when
sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
Throw out used tissues in the trash as soon
as you can.
Always wash your hands after sneezing,
blowing your nose, or coughing, or after touching used tissues or handkerchiefs. Wash
hands often if you are sick.
Use warm water and soap or alcohol-based
hand sanitizers to wash your hands.
Try to stay home if you have a cough and
fever.
See your doctor as soon as you can if you
have a cough and fever, and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as
prescribed and getting lots of rest.
If asked to, use face-masks provided in your
doctor’s or clinic waiting room and follow their instructions to help stop the spread
of germs.
Keep germs away:
Wash your hands before eating, or touching
your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wash your hands after touching anyone else
who is sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose, or whose nose is running.
Don’t share things like cigarettes,
towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory
germs.
Don’t share food, utensils or beverage
containers with others.
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Food Safety
Many people do not think about
food safety until a food-related illness affects them or a
family member.
While the food supply in the
United States is one of the safest in the world, CDC estimates
that 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are
hospitalized, and 5,000 Americans die each year from foodborne
illness.
Preventing foodborne illness
and death remains a major public health challenge.
Food Safety remains on the
public radar, as USDA officials announced a massive recall on
Feb. 17 after the Humane Society of the United States released
undercover video showing crippled and sick animals at the
slaughterhouse being shoved with forklifts.
Officials estimate that about 55
million pounds of the recalled beef went to USDA nutrition
programs, the bulk of it for schools, Humane Society president
Wayne Pacelle said.
No
illnesses have been linked to the recalled beef. |