Your Actions Matter! Once your needs have been met, you may be looking to help support those around you. Check out these helpful tips when talking to others about the importance of social distancing.
Let’s face it, no one wants the flu or other respiratory illness. So what are some ways to stay healthy?
Be a #HealthyDawg! Keep yourself and the UGA community healthy!
Follow these simple steps to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness:
- Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should get one!
- Practice good hand hygiene by either washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer which contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Do not touch your face, eyes, or mouth unless your hands are clean.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands!) when coughing or sneezing, and then throw the tissue in the trash. An uncovered cough or sneeze can project respiratory droplets 3 to 6 feet or more!
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Be open with your travel history or possible exposure to others.
Flu season is upon us. At the University Health Center we are, as you can imagine, seeing many cases of the flu every day. I want to offer some simple steps you can take to keep yourself and the UGA community healthy.
Prevent the Flu
- Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you should still get one.
- Practice good hand hygiene by either hand washing with soap and water or by using alcohol-based gels.
- Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth unless your hands are clean.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. An uncovered cough or sneeze can project respiratory droplets 3 to 6 feet or more.
Treating the Flu
The flu is a contagious disease that is caused by one of many influenza viruses. It primarily attacks the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs). The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches and insomnia.
- Stay home if you are sick. A good rule of thumb if you have the flu is that you should stay home as long as you have a fever. You can return to school or work if you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medicines.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- If you live in a residence hall, consider going to your permanent home until you have recovered.
- Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
- Rest.
For more information about the flu, getting a flu shot and when to seek a health care provider, visit the University Health Center’s Influenza site.
For more flu information from a student perspective, check out What’s Your Flu I.Q.?!
UGA students can schedule University Health Center primary medical care appointments online at www.uhs.uga.edu, using the UHC Patient Portal.
Written by: Dr. Jean Chin, University Health Center Executive Director
The University Health Center does not endorse any products or services that may appear in ads below.
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