URGENT CARE - (Flu Shot)

URGENT CARE - (Flu Shot) Copyright (c) 2010,2011 AO Design -. All rights reserved. http://www.austinurgentcare.com/ Urgent Medical Care Urgent Care and Medical needs of the community. en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 08:35:00 -0500 5 URGENT CARE 190 107 http://www.austinurgentcare.com/ http://www.austinurgentcare.com/images/logo.jpg How Do Sports Physicals Work into your plans for a Walk in Clinic? http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/how-do-sports-physicals-work-into-your-plans-for-a-walk-in-clinic http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=60 Urgent Medical Care Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:38:00 -0600 <div> Sports physicals in Austin are nothing new, any family with that has teens will need one.  You should be thinking ahead, though.  Plan for what your kids are going to need in the coming years, that way you’ll know that your needs and the needs of your kdis will be met properly.  See, a sports physical is something that is required by most schools for participation in different types of competitive sports.  More than that, though, you want to know your kids are prepared and thoroughly checked out for yourself.  For this reason, you want to think through  what clinic  you choose, and the strategy you use to provide the standard care (flu shots, sports physicals, checkups and the like) they receive.  What does that mean?  Let’s dig a little deeper. You probably already know that there are dozens of institutions within a few miles of the typical home in Austin, Tx. that offer an array of services, from flu shots to checkups and other services.  Most of these institutions offer competition based on price, but is that what you really want?  You have to consider how they arrive at these cheaper (or at least, the perception of cheaper) prices.  They have to hire at the lowest rate, which means they'll only attract the lowest level of talent.  Is this who you want to be giving your kids a flu shot or a checkup? A better plan is to have all your family's care provided under one roof.  Have them attended by the same staff, and the same doctors, so that you know they'll get the same care. This is important when it comes to sports physicals.  Having all the records of your kids' health in one place, rather than spread out among the several institutions around town that you would use for all these other services, is a much better long terh strategy for your family's health.</div> 3 Symptoms That Should NOT Send You To A Walk In Clinic In Austin http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/3-symptoms-that-should-not-send-you-to-a-walk-in-clinic-in-austin http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=59 Urgent Medical Care Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:37:00 -0600 <div> Walk in clinics in Austin are great.  They provide the kind of health care you need, right when you need it, and all without an appointment.  While these are all great, there are still many symptoms that you should not use a walk in clinic to deal with.  We’re only going to work through three today, but there are more you should keep in mind (for a full list, click here).  Read on, I’ll explain. Here are the three we’ll talk about today: <ul> <li>Chest Pain</li> <li>Seizure</li> <li>Difficulty Speaking</li> </ul> - Hide quoted text - First, Chest Pain.  Since chest pain can mean a heart attack, you need to be in the right place if that is indeed your condition.  See, treating a heart attack has come a long way in the last 40 years.  There are medications available now, and tests too, that are only available at a large medical facility-like a hospital.  Also, ER facilities have the procedures and processes immediately available that put you in position to reduce the damage done by a heart attack. Second, Seizure.  There are many causes of seizures, but the majority of them - and the most serious - lie in the brain.  Walk in clinics aren’t intended to deal with something this complex.  Too, you need to be in the facility so that if you are diagnosed with any of the major causes of seizures that you are in a place that can help you as much as possible. Lastly, difficulty speaking is a symptom that is very serious, and should only be dealt with at a ER facility.  Because this is a major indicator of stroke, you should be at a facility that can help you.  Walk in clinics are not the right place.  Again, they’re great for the minor stuff you deal with day-to-day, but if you run across these symptoms, skip the Austin walk in clinic and go straight to the ER.</div> The True Value of a Austin Walk In Clinic http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/the-true-value-of-a-austin-walk-in-clinic http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=58 Urgent Medical Care Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:32:00 -0600 <div> What exactly is a walk in clinic in Austin, and how does it benefit you and your family?  The simple fact is that you don’t always know when you’re kids are going to get sick, fall and hurt themselves, or spike a fever.  You need a resource available to you and your family that doesn’t require you to make an appointment to be able to get care when they need it.  Let’s look a little further. Health care is critical to your children, and you need to have access to it when and where you need it.  If you have children, you understand that an appointment doesn’t always make sense (in fact, rarely is that the case with kids!), and it’s great to have access to a facility that aligns its operating procedure to that fact.  Walk in clinics in Austin do just that.  Most walk in clinics, if they are set up correctly, will deal with a wide variety of illnesses and health needs, both prevention and non-prevention related.  Typical needs covered by walk in clinics in Austin are: • Sore Throats • Allergies • Ear Infections • Poison Ivy • Minor skin infections and burns • Laceration repair and wound care • Fractures and athletic injuries • Respiratory Illnesses • Asthma • Gynecologic and genitourinary problems • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Dehydration • Headaches • Backaches • Mild stomach aches • Minor eye problems and nose bleeds You parents know that this covers the vast majority of the ailments you deal with when it comes to your kids.  The nice thing is that you don’t have to run down to the ER every time something on this list happens; that is, if you have a good walk in clinic close to you.  Find one you can trust, and if you have kids, put them on speed dial!</div> Austin Family Care Clinics: 3 Tips You Should Know When Choosing A Clinic http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/austin-family-care-clinics-3-tips-you-should-know-when-choosing-a-clinic http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=47 Urgent Medical Care Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:25:00 -0600 <div class="im"> Family medicine is important, and the clinic and doctors you choose to take care of your family’s health determines the course of that health care.  How do you make that decision?  What criteria should you use to choose whether or not a certain family care clinic in Austin is right for you?  There are many things to consider, but there are three that you should consider immediately.  Not to say that these things are higher in importance than others, just that you should think of them first.  Let’s run through a few of these, and hopefully it will help you pick the right doctor and clinic for your family’s health care in Austin.  Read on. </div> First, if you have kids, you have to have a doctor that works well with them.  If your doctor does not have a good rapport with your kids, that just adds one other layer to the difficulty in getting your kids to go to the doctor for any reason, let alone getting a flu shot.  Our physicians have 9 kids between them both; therefore they have a lot of experience and a very good rapport with children. Having physicians that have compassion when dealing with sick or injured children puts the parents at ease, knowing that their child is in capable hands. The child will have a nice memory of their last experience in our facility if they every have to return. <div class="im"> Second, consider the staff.  If the staff treats you as if you are in the way, or some obstacle that they have to get around, you want to steer clear of that kind of clinic.  This indicates poor training; that the doctors are not ensuring that the staff is intentional about caring for the parents and kids that come through their family practice clinic in Austin.   Third, how is their follow-up?  This might not sound like a big deal, but remember: the health of your kids depends on the family clinic in Austin that you pick.  If your doctors are not making a big enough deal about the little details enough to make sure you are getting reminder calls on time, what else is getting missed?   Taking care of your family is your biggest concern, so make sure you pick the family clinic in Austin that feels the same. </div> Flu Shots are even more critical for these 3 Kinds Of People http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/flu-shots-are-even-more-critical-for-these-3-kinds-of-people http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=45 Urgent Medical Care Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:49:00 -0500 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flu Shots are even more critical for these 3 Kinds Of  People <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since flu season is coming, and flu shots are all the rage, we thought we’d talk a little about a few of the people for whom it is more critical than normal to get a flu shot.  This might sound strange because of all the advice you hear from radio and tv ads telling you that you should get a flu shot, of course everyone should get one.  But there are some people for whom the importance level rises quite a bit, and that’s who we’re here to talk about today.   <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, pregnant women should get a flu shot.  The reasoning is simple: they are preparing for two.  Plus, they are more vulnerable to illness since their body is depleted.   The risk of contracting the flu virus is much higher, and thus they should make sure to get a flu shot. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second, flu shots should be administered to children under 5, but especially children under 2 years of age.  Again, the high risk for both their age and the fact that they are around others who are highly contagious (and don’t yet have the social sense to understand the importance of taking measures to not spread the flu) makes it even more important that they get a flu shot. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A third group that should consider it more important than normal to get a flu shot is people who are 50 years of age and older.  For the same risk reasons, their danger is increased  in getting the flu, and should they contract it, the severity of the flu is increased.  Because of this fact, you see more elderly or very young people die every year from the flu, regardless of what kind or strain it is. Flu Season in Austin: It’s Here, so now what? http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/flu-season-in-austin-its-here-so-now-what http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=44 Urgent Medical Care Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:44:00 -0500 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Flu season in Austin is tough on a lot of folks.  If you have children, it is especially worrisome.  The vast majority of flu deaths occur in the young and the elderly.  Young children are more vulnerable to the flu in Austin for a couple of reasons: first, their immune systems aren’t as well-developed, so the flu virus has an easier time getting started in their little bodies.  Second, they don’t understand the dangers of either the flu virus itself or the way kids that have the flu spread it among their peers.   <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How can you affect this?  How can you make sure your family is safe from flu season in Austin? <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are several things to think about, and being more aware of the dangers is a start.  It really helps to first of all understand that flu season in Austin starts in October and goes till May.  That’s longer than most people think, and it affects the steps they take (and when they take them) to prevent the flu from affecting themselves and their families.   <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once you understand the length of the flu season, it’s important to not understate the importance of getting a flu shot in Austin.  Many people feel that they don’t need a flu shot, and the mild climate here in Austin can lull you into a false sense of security if you are not careful.  The simple fact is that there is no better way to keep from getting the flu than getting your annual flu shot.   <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It's important also to not hesitate to keep your children from contact with other kids who have the flu.  This can be difficult since flu season in Austin coincides with the school year so neatly, but it's important.  The flu is very harsh, especially on kids, so take every precaution you can to keep it from your family. How to NOT Get The Flu in Austin: DON’T Touch! http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/how-to-not-get-the-flu-in-austin-dont-touch http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=43 Urgent Medical Care Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:41:00 -0500 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Most people in Austin don’t wake up one day in October and say “Gee, I sure would like to get the flu today”.  Sounds crazy right?  Who would want to get the flu on purpose?  Believe it or not though, as bad as having the flu in Austin is, most people are not taking the precautions they could be to keep from coming down with such nasty sounding things as Swine Flu or Bird Flu.  Want proof?  Read on. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Think about this: how many things do you touch every day?  Think about it, and try to put a number on it.  Take your time, we’ll wait.  Got a number?  I bet you’re short.  It’s almost certain you’ve missed a key thing you touch up to 600 times per day.   Your face!  It’s said that the average person touches their face three to five times per minute (I’ve touched mine twice since I started writing this sentence), and that means trouble in flu season.  See, the flu spreads by entering your mucous membranes, like the ones found in your mouth and nose.  When you touch things like doorknobs, sinks, door frames and such that have been also touched by people carrying the flu, you give the flu virus a fast track into your body by carrying it directly to your face.  What does this mean for you? <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple: reduce the number of times you touch your face, and reduce the number of times you touch these kinds of surfaces, and you dramatically reduce your chance of getting the flu.  Here are some tips: <ol> <li style="list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Take care at exits, and don’t touch with your hands if you can help it.  Studies have shown that the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000099; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">flu virus can live on surfaces</a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for up to eight hours.  That’s plenty of time for you to get the flu, and then take it home to your family.</li> <li style="list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wash your hands frequently.  Washing your hands for at least 30 seconds with lots of soap is a powerful tool against getting the flu in Austin.  Now, don’t go touching a lot of doors after you wash!  Back out of doors, use a napkin to open, etc...</li> <li style="list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Use hand sanitizer.  Carry it in your car, purse and at work.  Learn it, love it, live it.  </li> </ol> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now, nothing takes the place of getting a flu shot in Austin for preventing the flu, and none of this is meant to say that you can do it in place of getting a flu shot.  However, there’s no reason you should carry around a flu virus to give to others who have not had the flu shot, right? The Flu Shot is Now Available in Austin at Urgent & Family Care at Avery Ranch for ages 12 years to Adult! http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/the-flu-shot-is-now-available-in-austin-at-urgent-family-care-at-avery-ranch-for-ages-12-years-to-adult http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=41 Urgent Medical Care Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:53:00 -0500 The Flu Shot is Here and now available at Urgent & Family Care for 12 years to Adult. Getting a Flu Shot is the best way to keep from getting the flu in Austin, and we are currently providing flu shots.  Flu Season starts to peak in November and continues to peak through April, so you need to protect yourself and your family from the ravages of that virus as much as you can by scheduling your flu shot as soon as possible.  Adults and children both die every year from the flu, and flu season in Austin has already started (October thru May), The flu shot is available at Urgent & Family Care at Avery Ranch for people ages 12 years to Adult.  No need for an appointment, since we are a walk in clinic.  Walk in anytime between the hours of 8am to 8pm Mon-Sat & 9am to 5pm on Sundays to get a flu shot for you or your family.  Urgent & Family Care at Avery Ranch is located at  10625 Parmer Lane Suite D 400, Austin Texas 78717, and is just a couple of minutes north of Parmer and 620.  You can reach us by phone at <a href="tel:512-733-9400" target="_blank">512-733-9400</a>.  If you need to fax us, use <a href="tel:512-733-0400" target="_blank">512-733-0400</a>.  Our offices are open for appointments from 8am to 8pm, and are open from Monday through Saturday.  Sunday, you can schedule a flu shot from 9am to 5pm, so you have access to us 7 days per week. The flu is serious, and people die from it every year (mostly children and the elderly).  You should take it seriously and schedule a flu shot for your entire family as soon as you can.  Regardless of what you hear, getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent the spread of the flu in Austin.  If you have children, you need to schedule a flu shot.  If you have seniors in your care, you need to schedule a flu shot. Call us or contact us online today and we will take care of you and your family. Two Ways to Get Your "Flu Shot" http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/two-ways-to-get-your-flu-shot http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=42 Urgent Medical Care Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:43:00 -0500 <div> </div> <div style="background-color: transparent;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flu shot time is here, so here are some things you should know.  First of all, there are two types of flu vaccines: <ul> <li style="list-style-type: disc; font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s the “flu shot”, which is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is administered with a needle.  This shot is usually given in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.</li> </ul> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There are three different flu shots available: <ul> <li>  <ul> <li style="list-style-type: circle; font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “Regular Flu Shot”, which is  approved for people 6 months and older </li> <li style="list-style-type: circle; font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A “High-Dose Flu Shot”, which is  approved for people 65 and older</li> <li style="list-style-type: circle; font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “Intradermal Flu Shot”, which is  approved for people 18 to 64 years of age.</li> </ul> </li> <li style="list-style-type: disc; font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second kind of flu shot is known as the nasal-spray flu vaccine.  This flu shot is made with live, weakened flu viruses, and is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). Now, the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu, which is sometimes mis-reported. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.</li> </ul> <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s important to understand that seasonal flu vaccines keep you protected against three influenza viruses, and surprise, surprise; they are the three  that research indicates will be most common during this upcoming flu season. Something you may not know is that the viruses in the vaccine can change each year.  Based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year, changes are made.  Now, approximately  2 weeks after you get your flu shot, the antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine begin to develop in the body.  This gives you the protection you need, as your body begins to strengthen itself against this virus. <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </div> Stop The Spread Of the Flu in Austin: 3 Tips http://www.austinurgentcare.com/blog/stop-the-spread-of-the-flu-in-austin-3-tips http://www.austinurgentcare.com/rss.php?id=40 Urgent Medical Care Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:51:00 -0500 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You don’t want the flu.  Naturally, you don’t want to get it from others, and they don’t want to get the flu from you.  Since you both want the same thing, to <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">stop the spread of the flu<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, we thought we’d give you some tips on ways you can stop the spread of the flu in Austin.  In fact, if everyone followed these tips, the impact of flu season would be dramatically reduced.  Let me explain. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First, stop the flu by covering your mouth. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Believe it or not, we’re still talking about this 40 years after my mother first told me.  Why?  It seems like people never learn.  You’ve all seen the tv footage where particles are ejected from a person’s mouth in a seemingly infinite supply, and covering your mouth stops that, along with the flu. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, soap stops the flu in it’s tracks. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Wash your hands regularly, and fully coat both sides of your hands, and leave it on there for at least 20 seconds.  Time is the key.  Just think of it this way: the more time you spend with soap on your hands, the less time you’ll have to spend carrying napkins around because you have the flu.  Getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu, but the next best thing is good hygiene, so wash away! <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Three, stop the flu by not touching.<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">  That’s right, the less touching the better.  It’s said that the average person touches their face three to five times per minute.  The scariest thing about that is that they then touch the very same doorknobs, saltshakers and water fountains that you do.  Don’t touch your face, and you stop the flu.  Stop the flu for yourself, and you stop it for those around you.  Let’s get together and stop the flu!