During and after the holiday season and especially when school begins again, it can be easy to pick up something that’s not on our gift list: the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu every year. For most of us, the flu is just a minor or moderate inconvenience. It can, however, become very serious for high-risk individuals.

Here are a few things you should know to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this flu season:

The best way to prevent getting the flu is with a flu shot.

The CDC recommends that everyone older than 6 months get a flu vaccine. The vaccine can fight off the flu virus and help lessen the symptoms or severity of the flu.

You can also stay healthy with these everyday habits:

• Avoid being around people you know are sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Try not to touch your mouth, eyes or nose.
• Regularly clean surfaces that may contain germs.

The flu is more severe than a common cold.

The flu and common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by two different viruses. The flu is generally more severe than a cold, even though symptoms can be similar.

Flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Tiredness

Treat the flu by taking care of yourself.

If you find yourself battling the flu despite your best efforts, there are a few things you can do to help yourself feel a little better. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of sleep so your body can adequately fight off the flu.

Antiviral medicines, prescribed by a physician, can help lessen the symptoms of the flu. People at high risk of having flu complications, like the elderly, very young or those with compromised immunity, should take antiviral medicine as soon as they get sick to help lessen the chance of severe complications.

The best thing you can do when you’re sick with the flu is prevent spreading it to others. Stay home from work or school, avoid being around other people and wash your hands often. The CDC recommends staying home until you are fever-free for 24 hours, without the help of a fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol®.

See a doctor if your symptoms become severe.

Most of the time, you can take care of yourself at home if you have the flu. You should seek medical treatment if your symptoms become severe, or if you experience any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden dizziness
• Pain in your chest or abdomen
• Symptoms that return with fever
• Confusion
• Severe vomiting

If you need to see a doctor but can’t wait to schedule an appointment, visit one of Tanner Health System’s Urgent Care locations in Bremen, Carrollton or Villa Rica, as well as Tanner Primary Care of Wedowee.