The medicines work only if you start to take them within 2 days after your symptoms start.

Prevention
A vaccine can help prevent you from getting H1N1 flu.

In addition to getting the vaccine, you can do some other things to keep from getting sick:

* Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
* Wash your hands often, using soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also work well.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus. Some viruses and bacteria can live for 2 hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs, cafeteria tables, and desks.
* Try to stay in good general healt...

The medicines work only if you start to take them within 2 days after your symptoms start.

Prevention
A vaccine can help prevent you from getting H1N1 flu.

In addition to getting the vaccine, you can do some other things to keep from getting sick:

* Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
* Wash your hands often, using soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also work well.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus. Some viruses and bacteria can live for 2 hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs, cafeteria tables, and desks.
* Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and drink lots of fluids.

Why should you consider getting the H1N1 flu vaccine?

In most cases, H1N1 flu is not serious and you get over it on your own. But in some cases, it might lead to serious illness or even death. If you already have a health problem, the flu can make it worse.

The H1N1 flu vaccine may help keep you from getting the flu. And if you don’t get the flu, you won’t miss several days of work or school, or have to spend time and money on doctor visits, medicines, and hospital stays.

The vaccine can also help prevent the spread of the flu to others and help end the worldwide outbreak of the H1N1 flu.

Getting the vaccine is especially important if you live, work, or care for someone who is at high risk for getting other health problems from the flu.

The vaccine may not always keep you from getting the flu, but it can make the symptoms milder and lower the risk of getting other health problems from the flu.

What is the H1N1 flu vaccine?

The H1N1 flu vaccine helps the body build immunity against the H1N1 flu virus. The vaccine causes your immune system to make antibodies. Then if you are exposed to the flu later, the antibodies can attack and destroy the virus.