In an effort to raise public awareness and prevent the spread of influenza, the Highland County Health Department is encouraging all persons to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children from the flu. Because pandemic H1N1 flu is circulating in Ohio along with seasonal flu, you will need many defenses to protect yourself and your family from flu this year. To keep from spreading respiratory illnesses such as seasonal influenza, H1N1 virus and other influenza strains, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends careful hand washing, coughing and sneezing into a tissue and immediately throwing tissues away after use and washing your hands. If tissues are not available, sneeze or cough into the sleeve of your elbow. Also, getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet will aid in a good immune system. If you or your family does develop flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school at least 24 hours after being fever-free without use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin.