you are ready when someone in the house gets sick."
Martin recommended including over-the-counter symptom relievers, cough syrup, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer, tissues, and soup.
"That way you have everything you need and you don't have to go to the store and spread your germs," she said. "Parents sometimes feel pressure to send their kids to school when they are sick or go to work themselves. But it's really best to stay home when you are sick. You need to rest so you can be at your best and you don't want to get other people sick."
For more information about the flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu. To find out how to get a flu vaccination, call Washington Hospital's Health Connection hotline at (800) 963-7070. To learn about upcoming Washington Hospital classes and seminars that can help you stay healthy, visit www.whhs.com.