10 Tips to Help Prevent the Flu

By Mountain-Pacific

If you’ve ever had the “flu” (influenza), you know just how miserable it can make you feel. Here are a few tips that may help you reduce your odds of getting the flu this year.

Vaccinate
Flu vaccinations rarely produce side effects and are the number one key to preventing the flu. To learn more about the flu shot please read our flu vaccine blog.

Wash your hands
Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based disinfectant. Hand washing helps remove germs and reduce the odds of getting the flu.

Don’t touch your eyes, mouth or nose
The flu can spread easily if there is a virus on your hands and you touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Use a tissue if you have to wipe your eyes or mouth.

Disinfect surfaces
Routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces if the flu is present helps to stop spreading contamination. Clean with an alcohol-based disinfectant and focus on things people touch: door knobs, phones, keyboards, etc.

Cover your mouth/nose when sneezing
Influenza spreads from person to person through liquid droplets that are made when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. If you sneeze or cough cover your mouth to avoid spreading germs that can cause the flu. Better yet, cough or sneeze into your elbow.

Avoid close contact
If possible, avoid close contact so influenza germs don’t spread when speaking, sneezing or coughing.

Avoid public places if you are sick
If you have influenza, don’t go to work and avoid public places if possible since influenza can spread easily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying home 24 hours after your fever subsides.

Stop the spread
By avoiding public places and close contact with others when you’re sick you are helping to stop spread influenza.

Practice healthy habits
Eating nutritious foods packed with vitamins and proteins can help keep your immune system strong and may help reduce your odds of getting influenza, according to some professionals. Staying hydrated and being physically active will also help stave off the flu.

Don’t stress
Stress can suppress the body’s immune system and make it more difficult for your system to fight off germs. Take it easy and relax.

Is the flu in your area?
Want to see what the flu activity is in your area? Then check out the CDCs influenza surveillance report map which has weekly updates on flu activity throughout the United States:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

Read more of Mountain-Pacific’s blogs to learn how to live a healthier life.

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