Get your flu shot and the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination, recommends the American Lung Association. It’s especially important if you fall into one of the five “more vulnerable” target groups:
- Anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
- Pregnant women
- People who care for or live with a child 6 months or younger
- Health care providers (including medical emergency workers)
- Anyone with chronic health disorders
H1N1 flu is a respiratory illness, so take these steps to minimize the spread of H1N1, the regular seasonal flu, and other respiratory illnesses:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with the flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Don’t smoke! If you do, quit. Approximately one in three young adults smokes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The likelihood of developing smoking-related cancers, such as lung cancer, increases with the duration of smoking. Those who start at younger ages and continue to smoke are at highest risk for cancer and other diseases.
Ninety percent of adults who smoke started by the age of 21, and half of them became regular smokers by their 18th birthday, according to the American Lung Association. For help quitting, go to www.lunginfo.org.