Every year people in the bay area usually get the flu virus, or what doctors call influenza virus, sometime during the months of October through March. However, did you know the influenza virus changes each year?

Some years there are small changes in the virus, while in other years big changes occur. Because the influenza virus changes from year to year, you can get sick with the flu more than once. This happens because the virus is clever enough to change so your body can’t fight it off. The yearly change in the influenza virus also forces vaccine manufacturers to make a new form of the flu vaccine each year.

This year there is an ample supply of the flu vaccine. For more information on vaccination clinic schedules, see our Flu Vaccine page. To avoid getting the flu (or spreading the virus), follow these simple steps.

1. Avoid contact with people who may be sick.
   
2. Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.
   
3. Wash your hands frequently.
   
4. Stay home if you have flu symptoms (cough, sneeze, headache, sore throat).
   
5. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
   
6. Avoid sharing cups, food or lipstick with others.

Influenza viruses are spread from person to person when an infected person sneezes or coughs and releases the virus into the air. These "airborne droplets" can infect another person. If an infected person touches their nose or mouth and gets saliva or mucus on their hands and then touches an object like a door knob, the virus can be spread to another person. Even though the infected person's hands don't really look dirty or feel sticky, they are covered with contagious influenza virus.

People are most contagious during the 24 hours before they feel ill and during the time they feel the most sick. Remember, antibiotics do not treat the flu. Since influenza is a virus, antibiotics which fight bacteria will not help fight the influenza virus.
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