Flu Information

Flu Season Updates and Advice

Flu illness is now widespread in Washington, and everyone aged 6 months and older, including pregnant women, are urged to get a flu shot right away if they have not already had one. Anyone can get the flu, and flu disease can be serious. Flu affects people of all ages and can cause severe illness resulting in hospitalization and death. Protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, if you haven’t already ? and by staying up to date on flu:

If you get sick with flu symptoms you should stay home, rest and avoid contact with other people unless you need to seek medical care. People with flu symptoms should stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without fever reducing medicines, usually 3-5 days in most cases. For more information about what to do if you get the flu, visit the CDC’s webpage, “The Flu: Caring for someone sick at home.” Please remember to stop the spread of flu, wash your hands, cover your cough and get vaccinated if you haven’t already been vaccinated.

The flu is unpredictable and symptoms can be severe, especially for older people, younger children, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions. These groups are at greater risk of serious complications. If you are in one of these groups, are very sick or are worried about your illness, please call your health care provider for advice.