flu to someone else before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick young children those who are severely ill and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 57 dayswhat are everyday preventive actions try to avoid close contact with sick people if you or your child gets sick with flulike illness then it is advised that you or your child stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities the fever should be gone without the use of a feverreducing medicine while sick limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze throw the tissue in the trash after you use it wash your hands often with soap and water if soap and water are not available use an alcoholbased hand rub avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth germs spread this way clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu if an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs follow public health advice this may include information about how to increase distance between people and other measuressource centre for disease control atlanta