PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Sept. 17 is “Get Ready for Flu Day” and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is advising Virginians to consult a medical provider about getting vaccinated.
VDH recommends that everyone over 5-months-old be vaccinated for the flu each year with few exceptions . This is especially true for people over the age of 65, young children, women who are pregnant and those who have increased risk for illness.
According to VDH, September and October are the best times to get vaccinated against the flu but advises that pregnant woman and children may need to get vaccinated earlier.
VDH recommends these steps to protect yourself and others from the flu:
- Practice good hygiene – cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often.
- Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school, or office.
- Take steps for cleaner air when indoors (improve ventilation).
- Stay home when sick and get treatment, if eligible.
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- Once you resume normal activities, take added precautions for the next five days.
- This includes improving air quality while indoors, washing hands often, keeping distance from others, or masking.
- If you’re very sick or you’re at high risk for severe illness from flu , talk with a health care provider to see if prescription treatment is right for you. Treatment works best if taken within two days from when your symptoms start.