The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.  
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There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu. The tips and resources below, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will help you learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.

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1. Get vaccinated: The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. There are several flu vaccine options.
2. Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
3. Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
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4. Clean your hands: Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives - Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
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5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
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6. Practice good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill. Items to focus on include doorknobs, keyboards, and phones.
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7. Things you can control: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
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8. Workplace supplies: Make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes
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9. How your employer can help: Ask your employers whether flu vaccinations are offered on-site and ensure you are aware of their sick policy, should you get sick.

To learn more about how you can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu at work: Flu Prevention at Work.

While a doctor may be your best resource if you, a co-worker, or family member gets sick, when it comes to workplace safety, Arbill has you covered.

Your single-source for safety services, safety products and safety technology, Arbill is ready to help you make your workplace safer. To learn how Arbill can help your company, contact your Arbill representative, call 800-523-5367 or visit us at Arbill.com.