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You can help prevent the spread of this virus--and protect yourself from it--by getting a flu vaccine every year. The (CDC) say that all people aged six months and older need to get the vaccine. As a reference librarian, I come into contact with many people every day at work. I make sure to get my flu shot every year, I wash my hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer after handling things other people have handled. I avoid contact with sick people.

The flu is a respiratory virus that causes ""  The vaccine is available as a shot or as a nasal spray. Most people need the trivalent vaccine, which is typically covered by health insurance. Otherwise, you can expect to pay around $30 for it. If this sounds expensive, consider that symptoms of the flu can last a few days to a couple weeks, can cause you to miss work and even send you to the hospital! There are a few people who cannot take the flu vaccine, most notably very young infants. It is therefore critical to get the vaccine if you have a very young child or spend time among people who cannot take the vaccine. , which is known as "community immunity" or "herd immunity." Here are some links to reliable, comprehensive information about the flu:

• (Search on the address "E. Lawson St., Â鶹ӰÊÓ, NC 27703" to find locations near the DTCC main campus where you can get the flu shot. Be sure to un-check all choices under "vaccines" except for "Flu.")
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