Healthy Habits to Practice
During the Flu Season

Here are ways you can lead your congregation in the fight against the H1N1 influenza virus:

 Spread the word to members of your congregation about what they can do to stay healthy during the 2009 – 2010 flu season

 Check flu.gov or ochd.org for updates, vaccine availability and recommendations.
 Institute a “flu facts” or “healthy habits” section for your newspaper
 Download the flu.gov widget for your website
 Sponsor an event or lecture focusing on treatment and prevention of the flu virus.

Encourage Families to prepare for the H1N1 flu

 Practicing healthy habits
 Keeping an updated list of medical conditions and medications
 Maintaining a regular supply of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
 Instituting a “buddy system” between friends and neighbors so that others can help provide necessities without the need to go out when you are sick

Support vaccination efforts. For example:

 Visit flu.gov or ochd.org to find the vaccination clinics that serve Ocean County
 Encourage the congregation to get vaccinated, particularly high-risk groups
 Help people to understand the importance of flu vaccination

Other Healthy Habits:

 Get vaccinated for 2009 – 2010 H1N1 influenza

 Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available

 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue into the trash afterwards. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

 Avoid close contact with sick people

 Keep sick children at home

 If you have flu-like symptoms (fever with a cough or sore throat), stay home until you are without a fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Ocean County Health Department
732-341-9700
www.ochd.org