Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We're talking about preparing for flu season this week on Healthwatch. We don't yet know if there will be as serious a shortage of vaccine this season as there has been in recent years, but just in case, officials are giving priority to high-risk individuals before offering vaccinations to healthy people.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say one of the best ways to protect yourself until you can get a flu shot is to wash your hands frequently. Because travel and visiting friends and family is common during the coming months, it's especially important to frequently wash hands after interacting with others or after you've been in high-traffic, public places. Avoid rubbing your face, as the eyes, nose and mouth are where the virus enters your body.
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October 2005
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