Puyallup Tribal Health Authority urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):
- Get vaccinated! Call PTHA for current flu vaccine clinic dates.
- Cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Never use your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water arenot available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Keep your body healthy by eating a variety of fresh fruits and veggies,take a daily multivitamin, exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, getat least 8 hours of sleep each night, don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, PTHA recommends that you stayhome for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Call PTHA’s Triage for medical advice instead of coming to the clinic.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keepfrom infecting them.
Flu Vaccines
CDC recommends ALL people older than 6 months of age get vaccinated against the flu every year. Flu vaccine is effective throughout the season. It takes 2 weeks for your body to build immunity after being vaccinated so the earlier you get vaccinated the better. PTHA offers flu clinic dates for adults and children or patients can come in for a flu shot during regular hours realizing wait times will depend on demand and staffing levels.
If you or your child is sick with flu-like symptoms we appreciate you staying at home and calling the triage nurse or on-call nurse for advice to manage symptoms at home. At home, it is important to rest and drink plenty of fluids. You may use over the counter medications to manage the severity of your symptoms like fever, congestion, and body aches.
Remember prevention of the flu is best. Get vaccinated, wash your hands, cover your coughs, and disinfect surfaces in your home and workplace.
