Timely Tip: It’s Cough and Sneeze Season

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The weather is changing! That means colds, flu, and chest colds (bronchitis) are on the way. Here are some important tips and resources to help you stay healthy no matter what the season.

Colds and Flu – Your Resources Online
Visit kp.org/flu to find information on preventing colds and the flu: how to keep from getting sick, what to do if you are ill, and when to call the doctor.

Get a Flu Shot
Get a flu shot! The best way to keep from catching the flu or passing it on to your loved ones is by getting an annual flu vaccination. Flu vaccines are safe, effective and free to all Kaiser Permanente members. Everyone in your household should get a yearly flu shot, but it’s especially important for:

• All children 6 months to 18 years old.
• Anyone 50 or older.
• Anyone with a chronic health condition.
• Pregnant women.
• Health care workers.

Find out where to get your flu shot by calling 1-800-KP-FLU-11.

Preventing the Flu
There are a number of important things you can do to prevent getting the flu or a cold.

• Wash your hands often. Hand washing is one of the simplest and most important things you can do to keep from getting and spreading colds and the flu. Using just plain soap and warm water is as effective as using antibacterial products. Carry an alcohol-based hand gel (such as Purell) to use when you can't wash.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cold and flu viruses are spread by airborne particles.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Clean surfaces (such as counter tops, telephones, toys, cups, bathroom sinks) that sick children or adults may have touched.
• Don't smoke.
• Stay healthy by eating nutritious, low-fat food and exercising.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Take steps to reduce stress.

Taking Care of a Cold or the Flu
If you do get a cold or the flu, we have some tips to help you get healthier sooner. Take a look at the links below:

What To Do About Colds and Flu in Adults - Tips on taking care of yourself.
Home Remedies and Medication - Information on what you can do to feel better at home, and which medications you might need.

Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

This site may contain links to other web sites outside of www.permanente.net. Kaiser Permanente has no control over the content or the availability of these sites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. Web links are provided as an educational tool, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. A link or reference to a web site should not be construed as an endorsement of the site or its contents. Any medical content that you feel may be important to your health should always be discussed with your Kaiser Permanente physician.