EDMONTON – Primary Care Alberta reminds you to stop germs from spreading and get immunized against respiratory illnesses this holiday season.

To keep yourself and others healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough with a tissue. Always cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands.
• Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, like doorknobs, light switches and counters.
• Stay home when sick from work, school, social activities and visiting anyone in care facilities.
• Get immunized. It’s not too late to get immunized. Getting immunized is one of several important steps you can take to prevent yourself and others from getting sick.

Immunization is very safe. It’s much safer to get the vaccine than to get the diseases that vaccines can prevent. To learn more, visit Immunization Benefits & Safety.

Antibiotics do not work against the influenza virus (or any other virus). Antiviral medications may be used for treatment or prevention of influenza. To learn more, visit Guide to Wise Use of Antibiotics - Do Bugs Need Drugs.

Primary Care Alberta is a made-in-Alberta solution to improve access to the primary care services Albertans rely on.

By delivering coordinated services, Primary Care Alberta enables healthcare providers to do what they do best -- care for Albertans. We meet Albertans wherever they live, work, play and learn, promoting prevention, supporting lifelong health journeys, and serving as a vital entry point to a complex network of care.

Together, we are creating a future where compassionate, timely and effective healthcare is available to every Albertan at every stage of life.