Many people would put avoiding the flu as a top item on their Christmas list. While it’s impossible to completely avoid the flu there are several ways to reduce the chances of exposure.

Getting a flu shot increases the body’s ability to fight off the flu virus. The Pratt County Health Department still has around 200 flu shots available, said Deb McGraw, director of Public Health.  

To get a shot bring an insurance card, Medicare Card or $30 in cash to the county health department at 712 South Main. People who are unable to come to the office can call 672-4135 to arrange an in-home visit, McGraw said.

Children six months or older, adults over 50, people with chronic health conditions like heart, lung, kidney asthma, cancer, blood disorders, weakened immune system from long term steroid use, chemo therapy or HIV should all get a flu shot.

People need to stay home when they have the flu. Do not go to work, shopping or public events. This will help prevent the spread of the disease.

When out in public keep hands thoroughly washed, don’t eat or drink after anyone, carry and use an alcohol jell wash, avoid crowds like shopping malls, public sporting and social events.

It is especially important to keep babies and children’s hands washed. They are more likely to touch an infected surface and then put their hands in their mouths.

If a person has to go out, hand washing is very important. When coughing, use a tissue or handkerchief. If none is available, cough into the crook of the arm and not into the hand, McGraw said.

Always wash hands after sneezing or blowing the nose.

Carry disinfectant wipes to clean public surfaces that might be infected such as shopping carts, drinking fountains, doors, doorknobs, and rest room surfaces. Many people a day use shopping carts and some businesses now provide disinfectant wipes by the carts but carrying disinfectant wipes will help.

“That is a good idea,” McGraw said.

Do not send children to day care if they are sick. The benchmark for day care is to send any child home that has a fever of 101 or higher. That is also the benchmark to use at home.

It is vitally important to not visit anyone in the hospital or in a nursing home while a person has the flu or a cold. They expose the person they visit, employees and everyone else at the facility to the disease.

So far the health department has not received notification of any flu patients from the Pratt Regional Medical Center or school nurses, McGraw said.

The flu can last for several days and it is important for a person to get rest, drink fluids and take medicines as needed.

It takes longer to get over the flu if the person insists on going to work so it is best to stay home and recover quicker.

Flu versus cold

Symptom                  cold                            flu

Fever                        rare                             80 percent

Coughing                productive hacking  non-productive
                                                                      no mucus

Aches                       slight and pains      severe and pains

Stuffy nose               common                  not common

Chills                         not common           60 percent

Tiredness                 mild                          moderate to severe

Sneezing                 common                   not common

Symptoms                a few days               3 to 6 hours

Headache                uncommon              80 percent

Sore Throat              common                  not common

Chest Discomfort    mild to moderate    severe

Rochefort Laboratories