Protecting your family against the flu this season

Getting the flu sucks, right? Well, my family knows that first hand after our experience last year. My (at the time) 10 year old son and I both came down with H1N1 at the same time. It was likely the most sick I can remember us being. Not only did I have to take him, with a temperature of 104F, and put him in the tub to bring his fever down, but I had to do this while I, myself, had a fever myself. It was horrible. Yes, we both made it through but I learned an important lesson...GET YOUR FLU SHOT!
My son got his flu shot in school and will again this year but I will make sure I go to my local drug store, or almost any store right now that has a pharmacy included in it, and get my flu shot. I don't want to be as sick as I was last year, ever again.

A couple other things I learned are as follows:

• Medicine: Always keep medicine on hand. By the time you need it, if you don't have it in the house, it's too late.
• Hand sanitizer: Always make sure you have some on hand. And use it! I leave some at the computer, in the bathroom and in the kitchen right next to the hand soap. I also remind the kids to use it.
• Tissues: When you're sick you're nose gets runny, then raw. Help yourself out and keep some tissues, preferably anti-bacterial or with lotion.
• Chicken noodle soup really is the best food to 'eat and ginger ale really is the best drink to drink. Well, that and Gatorade or another kind of sports drink, to make sure you stay hydrated.

Here are some more facts about the flu and the flu shot:

 • Everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended to be vaccinated against the flu.

• The flu vaccine provides protection that lasts through the flu season.

• The flu vaccine is updated each season to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness.

• You need to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine even if you got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine last season.

• If you or your kids do not like shots, the flu vaccine is also available in mist form. For more information on this, ask your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

More info: www.cdc.gov/flu, www.flu.gov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CDC
Twitter: @cdcflu
“I wrote this blog post while participating in a TwitterMoms blogging program for which I may receive a small thank you (valued at less than $20).” For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://cdcflu.twittermoms.com/about)