According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
Anyone who wants to be protected against the flu should consult their own health-care provider to receive the vaccine.
Anyone who wants to be protected against the flu should consult their own health-care provider to receive the vaccine.
Per the CDC, there have been 5 identified cases of people with a variant of the flu virus usually only seen in pigs this past month. As fair season approaches, the CDC recommends:
- Persons who are at higher risk for influenza complications should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns at fairs this year. If you cannot avoid exposure to pigs, you should wear a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth and should perform hand hygiene frequently.
- All persons should take precautions when engaging in activities that may involve swine contact. Precautions include hand hygiene before and after exposure to animals, avoiding eating or drinking in animal areas, and avoiding close contact with animals that look or act ill.
- Patients with influenza-like illness who are at higher risk for influenza complications should see their healthcare provider as soon as possible after symptom onset to determine if treatment with antiviral medications is warranted.
- Patients who experience influenza-like symptoms following direct or close contact with pigs and who seek medical care should inform their health care provider about the exposure.