00:00 When we're talking about influenza, we're really talking about a virus that can be a
00:06 lot more serious, can have a lot more severe consequences.
00:13 There's a period of time before you're showing symptoms where you're actually contagious
00:17 and able to spread the flu virus to other people.
00:20 So you may not be showing symptoms, but you're actually able to get other people ill.
00:28 I can't tell you how many times people tell me, "Well, he went outside without a hat on
00:32 and that's why he got sick."
00:34 But it's really when it gets colder, we're inside together, we're closed up together,
00:38 we're sharing our germs a little bit more easily.
00:44 Once your fever is gone for 24 hours without the aid of any type of temperature-reducing
00:51 medication, you can go back to school and you're not contagious anymore.
00:55 You may not feel the best still, and that has to be taken into account when you're deciding
01:00 whether or not to send your child back, but you know they won't be contagious anymore.
01:07 Washing your hands is probably one of the best ways to fight just about everything,
01:11 but definitely with the flu.
01:13 And washing for long enough with soap and hot water is really important.
01:17 (upbeat music)
