Belmont Village Quarterly Newsletter
on Senior Living

Healthy Holidays:
Cross the Flu Off Your List

Tis the season – from shopping and decorating to holiday visits and parties, it’s a busy, hectic time, and this year we’ve got an uninvited guest – the flu bug.  According to the CDC, flu season has typically fallen between January and March, but this year with the emergence of the new 2009 H1N1 flu virus - formerly known as “novel H1N1” or “swine flu” – the season has become less predictable.  We’ve already seen illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths caused by outbreaks this summer, which experts say is an uncommon time for flu viruses to occur.  As a result, the CDC can’t reliably predict when flu activity will increase, when it will peak, what viruses will circulate or how long it will last.

Belmont Village advises you to arm yourself with information and vaccination – your two best weapons for fighting the flu. 

Flu Prevention Tips

• Wash your hands! You should wash for 15-20 seconds with soap and warm water, or if you’re using an alcohol-based gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. Washing often is important, especially after you cough or sneeze
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Dispose of tissue in the trash after use.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – germs spread that way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• CDC says stay home when you are sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone EXCEPT to get medical care or for other necessities. Keep away from others to help stop the spread.
• Talk to your doctor as soon as possible about getting vaccinated, especially if you are at high risk.

It’s important to know that the seasonal flu vaccine is different from the new 2009 H1N1 vaccine, which is due out in early to late October.  The new vaccine is only for 2009 H1N1 and is meant to be used alongside the seasonal vaccine. CDC recommends getting your seasonal flu vaccine as your first and foremost line of defense against the flu.  As always, you should talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated.

Learn More

Call your local or state health department, contact the CDC at 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or go online to www.cdc.gov/flu.

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