If you have or think you have the flu, you should stay home, follow the doctor’s orders and watch for signs that you may need immediate medical attention (difficulty breathing, pain in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting). If you have a fever, the CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever (100°F or higher) is gone except to seek medical care.

Avoiding public places and close contact with others helps to prevent human-to-human transmission and controls the spread of the virus. It is especially important to avoid close contact with high-risk groups, such as people over 65, children, infants, those with chronic medical condition and pregnant women.

Other measures include:

• Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub, especially after coughing, sneezing or touching the face
• Cover coughs and sneezes (cough into your elbow or tissues to reduce the chance of transmitting via hands and mouth)
• Drink lots of clear fluids (water, broth, sports drinks, etc.) to prevent dehydration
• Get plenty of rest

If you are taking care of someone who is sick, ask your doctor for preventative measures that you can take, including getting a flu shot or taking antiviral medications.