10 Ways To Avoid Flu This Winter
10 Ways To Avoid Flu This Winter. It’s that time of the year where colds and flu are in season. Flu can look like a minor thing but it has claimed the lives of many over the year. The following tips can help you avoid getting the virus this winter.
1. Practice Good Health Habits
Good health habits also act as a line of defense against the flu. Flu is extremely contagious, able to spread from one person to another standing within 6 feet via droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking or by touching contaminated surfaces.
2. Clean Communal Surfaces Often
Household surfaces are going to be contaminated with the flu virus if you’re living with someone who has the flu. It’s why you should wipe down commonly-touched surfaces. This include phone chargers, fridge handles, and light switches. Clean them at least once a day using any standard household cleaner, regardless of whether anyone in your household is sick.
3. Get a Flu Shot
Getting a flu shot is the single best thing that you can do each flu season to protect yourself from severe illness. Everybody over the age of 6 months is recommended to get an annual flu vaccination
4. Maintain Your Immune System
The immune system protects your body from infection. When it is in tiptop shape and functioning properly, the immune system launches an attack on threats such as flu viruses. Help to maintain your immune system by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
5. Quit Bad Habits
People who smoke have a more exaggerated response to viruses, including the flu. Quitting smoking could be a useful preventative measure against flu, not only for you but also for your children, family, or anyone else who lives with you.
6. Keep Your Lips Off Infected Partners
The flu virus is contagious beginning the day before you experience your first symptom, any time a fever is present, and up to a week after the last symptom subsides. It’s carried in saliva, so kissing a flu carrier’s mouth or face is risky during this time.
7. Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose or Mouth
You risk getting sick when you touch an infected surface and transfer the virus to your face. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
8. Avoid Close Contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. There’s no practical way to assess whether someone has a benign nose tickle, a cold, or the flu, so it’s best to keep your distance from anyone with suspicious symptoms. .
9. Wear Surgical Gloves When Caring For Someone Who’s Sick
In clinical environments, doctors and nurses wear disposable surgical gloves and masks to avoid contact with contaminated secretions and surfaces. If you’re not prepared to suit up at home, frequent hand-washing is your next best bet when you’re around anyone with the flu.
10. Stay Home When Sick
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
