In addition to receiving a flu vaccine, there are many other ways to protect yourself and those you love from exposure to influenza, including:

• Educate family members and roommates about the heightened risk of seasonal and H1N1 influenza for those with neuromuscular disease, and the importance of staying away from others who are experiencing flulike symptoms.
• Promote good hand hygiene among everyone in your home, which means washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice), especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol also are effective.
• Encourage everyone in your home to practice respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or with your arm. Dispose of tissues in a waste receptacle after use.
• Among your roommates and/or immediate family members, stress the importance of not sharing utensils and drinking cups, and encourage them to avoid touching their faces, especially after handling shared items such as telephones or remote controls.
• Educate yourself about symptoms of the flu — fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting also may be experienced. Contact your physician as soon as possible if you develop flulike symptoms.
• Visit the CDC’s website and Flu.gov for additional tips and recommendations.

Tips and guidelines if you become sick

Symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 influenza are similar and may include the following:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• body aches
• chills
• fatigue
• diarrhea and vomiting also may be experienced

Contact your physician as soon as possible if you develop flulike symptoms.

Be prepared

It’s also a good idea to be prepared in case you get the flu. For example:

• Make sure you have an adequate supply of prescribed medications on hand in the event you’re unable to leave the house because of illness.
• Make sure that your medicine cabinet is stocked with necessary health supplies, including fever-reducing medications, a thermometer, hand sanitizer for family members or roommates, etc.
• If you have young children at home or you care for someone with neuromuscular disease, start a list of friends and family members who would be willing to help you at home in the event you contract the flu.