Reporter: Kaylynn Butler
Interviewee: Nurse Rachael
12/14/23 Wheatland Mo

The flu is spread by tiny droplets that are in the air after coughing or sneezing and even when you’re talking. Then people nearby breathe in those tiny droplets or they land on a person’s nose or mouth!
Ways to prevent catching the flu are proper hand hygiene, making sure you cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, disinfecting areas that see a lot of traffic, and staying home when you’re sick.
Signs and symptoms include: fever, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue. Symptoms usually last 3-4 days to up to a week, although it varies from person to person. Some treatments for the flu include bed rest, high fluid intake, and aspirin or other anti fever drugs are standard treatments.
According to the CDC, you’re most contagious within the first 3-4 days of being sick.
Anyone can get the flu but the people that are at a higher risk include the elderly so think people over the age of 60 and children especially 5 years old and younger.
People with chronic illnesses are at a higher risk because they have a weakened immune system.