Influenza (flu) season is in full force and it's affecting medical facilities across the nation, leading to long Emergency Room wait times and hospital overcrowding. While it may be difficult to keep from being exposed to the flu, there are several ways that you can help protect yourself and your family from catching a flu.

Preventing the Flu
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall, but good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu.

Good Health Habits
Good health habits are also an important way to help prevent the Flu.

• 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. 
• Stay home when you are sick.
  If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. 
• 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. 
• Clean your hands.
  Washing your hands with soap and hot water or alcohol hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol) often will help protect you from germs. 
• 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.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm