Controlling the spread of influenza virus
The influenza vaccine isn't 100% effective, so it's also important to take several measures to lower the spread of infection, including: Wash your hands. Wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Make sure friends and family that you're around regularly, especially kids, know the importance of hand-washing. Avoid touching your face. Keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth helps keep germs away from those places. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. Then wash your hands. Clean surfaces. Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to prevent spread of infection from touching a surface with the virus on it and then your face. Avoid crowds. The flu spreads easily wherever people gather — in child care centers, schools, office buildings and auditoriums and on public transportation. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you lower your chances of infection.