Healthy Habits for Flu Prevention - Sneezing :30

The CDC estimates that up to 80% of all infections, including flu, may be spread by hand contact. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes every year.

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. As this virus spreads from person-to-person, it is sparking outbreaks of influenza-like illness in the United States and internationally.

It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, that is, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Simple healthy habits can help prevent the spread of these flu viruses as well as other infectious diseases. Such habits are the focus of these timely public service advertisements targeting children and their parents.

The campaign features Sesame Street’s Elmo and Gordon and instructs children on easy ways to stay healthy, focusing on how they should properly wash their hands, avoid touching their mouth, eyes and nose, and sneeze into the bend of their arm. Parents and children can find more information on how to stay healthy and avoid the flu at www.cdc.gov.