Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

mised immune function, such as people who have
HIV/AIDSor CANCERor who take IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE
THERAPYafter ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION. People who
have DIABETESand other chronic health conditions
also have increased risk for infection. Preventive
measures to reduce the risk for influenza infection
include

• frequent HAND WASHINGwith warm water and
  soap
  
  
  • disinfecting common use surfaces such as door-
    knobs
  
  
  • minimizing exposure to enclosed crowds of
    people during peak flu season (November
    through March in the United States)
  
  
  
  

Annual flu vaccines are currently the most

effective method for preventing influenza.

See also BACTERIA; INFLUENZA PREVENTION;

SNEEZE/COUGH ETIQUETTE.

340 Infectious Diseases