Health care professionals say they are seeing a surge in flu activity among those in the Natchez area, so much so some pharmacies ran low or out of the antiviral medication, Tamiflu.

That medication works to decrease the severity of flu symptoms if taken early enough.

Though late in the season for a flu outbreak, lingering cold, wet winter weather, which keeps us inside and in close proximity, may hang around a bit longer than usual.

Here are some tips for keeping yourself and your children well:

• Wash your hands, well and often. Use soap and the hottest water you can tolerate. How long should you wash? As long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song should do it.
• If you are sick, stay home and away from others. Don’t run errands. Rest helps you heal, and you won’t spread your illness to others.
• Avoid people who you think may be sick with the flu. It’s not a pleasant experience. You don’t want to be rude, but sometimes you have to think of your own health first.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth. That’s how germs enter your body and take up residence.
• Take time to clean frequently touched areas in your home, like cabinet knobs, your refrigerator door, door knobs, faucet handles and your home phone and cell phone.

And, for goodness sake, get a flu shot. This year’s vaccine missed the mark and is said to have been effective on only 20 percent of the flu strains causing illness this year. However, that’s not typically the case.

The flu isn’t any fun. Some common sense now can save you and members of your family a good amount of grief.