Here are things you can do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of colds and flu:

• Get vaccinated.
  Protect yourself with seasonal flu vaccines every year. The Center for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu shot for everyone six months of age and older. For more information visit the CDC Website.
  
  For CSU seasonal flu vaccination information, call the CSU Health Network at 970-491-7121.

• Practice good hand hygiene.
  Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20-30 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective, unless hands are visibly soiled or grossly contaminated.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  Germs spread this way.

• Perform routine cleaning.
  Studies have shown that the flu virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. Clean items and surfaces likely to have frequent hand contact like door knobs, phones, keyboards, counters, desks, remote controls, refrigerator handles, etc. with cleaning agents typically used to wash these items.

• Engage in immune boosting strategies:
  • Sleep Hygiene - 7 to 8 hours of sleep is optimal.
  • Stress Management - Deep breathing and relaxation techniques can be helpful in managing stress. Chronic stress can make you more inclined to colds and/or the flu.
  • Physical Activity - Aerobic and strength building exercise several times a week builds long-term immunity against viruses.
  • Healthy Diet - Include plenty of fruits and vegetables each day, as well as whole grains and healthy sources of fat and protein.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.
  In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, headache, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. A significant number of people who have been infected with the influenza virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
  
  Colds are usually milder than the flu, and people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, often accompanied by sneezing. Sore throats can be common. Colds generally do not lead to more serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations, but the flu can.
  
  For more information:
  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
  http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/URI/colds.html
  

• Drink Clear Fluids - Water, juice, soup broths, and herbal teas are suggeted to stay hydrated.
• Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen - Take to reduce fever and relieve body aches; use as directed.
• Antiviral Medication - Antibiotics won't work for viral infection. Antiviral medication may help for specific strains of the flu virus, but only when given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Ask your doctor if this therapy might benefit you. Antibiotics and antiviral medications do not treat the common cold.
• Sponge Bath - A cool, sponge bath (in water, not rubbing alcohol) may reduce fever symptoms.
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Use - Smoking may increase your symptoms, especially cough, or make you more prone to develop bronchitis and pneumonia. Alcohol dehydrates the body.
• Sleep - Get enough sleep to feel completely rested and allow your body to heal.
• Sooth Sore Throat - Gargle warm salt water (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water).
• Decongest - Use camphor or menthol rubs to clear nasal passages.
• Inhale - Breathe the steam from hot beverages, and take deep breaths when in the shower.

Remember...

Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don't go to class or work; socially distance yourself from others. Ask a roommate or friend to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies, if needed.

Special populations should check in with their health care provider. Serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, children under five, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Wear a facemask - if available and tolerable - when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from the flu.

Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.

Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention for the seasonal flu.

For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/homecare/

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Severe headaches
• Very stiff neck
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever

Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/flu/