Do something about staying well this flu season
October is the official start of flu season.
The
Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization
are warning again this year that the annual threat posed by the flu is compounded by
a possible pandemic caused by avian flu.
There are steps you can take to avoid catching the flu. Southern
Methodist University will offer flu shots to students, faculty, and
staff. And SMU is making preparations should an avian flu outbreak
occur.
Tips for Staying Healthy During
Flu Season
- Get your regular flu shot
The SMU Health Center expects to make flu shots available to students, faculty and staff for $25 beginning Oct.
17. See the
flu shot schedule.
- Wash your hands.
You hands are the primary point of contact with
contaminated surfaces and those who may be infected. Washing your
hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday") will help keep them germ-free.
- "Sneeze" sleeve your sneeze or cough.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your shirt sleeve when
sneezing or coughing to avoid spreading germs to those around
you.
- Keep your social distance.
Keep handshakes to a minimum, and avoid close contact with others during cold and flu season to reduce the spread of germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth.
You run a higher risk of becoming ill if you touch
your eyes, nose or mouth after touching something
or someone that is contaminated.
- Stay home when you are seriously
ill.
Stay home from work, school, church and
errands when you are seriously ill with fever and
other flu symptoms. You will help prevent
others from catching your illness. If you are sick
for more than a few days, check with your
professors or supervisor.
- An ounce of prevention
Your body is better able to fight off infections when you are well rested, eating balanced meals and getting moderate exercise. Remember to take some time each day to relax and take care of yourself to stay healthy.
- Use hand sanitizers whenever possible
- Kills 99% of most germs that may cause flu
- Use anytime, any place, without water or
towels
- Contains aloe and vitamin E and leaves hands
feeling refreshed without a sticky residue
- Hand sanitizers are available in many campus
buildings
The SMU Health Center offers flu shots 
to students, faculty and staff.
See the schedule for details.
High Fever (101-104)