Q&A: Avoiding the flu
| Wellness | Healthy You
My family always gets sick around the winter holidays. What can we do to stay healthy this year?
Staying healthy during flu season can be a challenge. Here are a few simple steps to help keep you and your family from getting sick.
Get the flu vaccine. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and spread it to others. If you haven’t received one yet, call your doctor or stop by an area pharmacy to get your shot.
Wash hands often. Flu and cold viruses are spread by tiny droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those germs can be breathed in or picked up from objects. If you touch your mouth, eyes or nose with infected hands, you increase your chance of catching the flu.
That’s why it’s helpful to wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds using warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand rub. And avoid touching your face.
Boost your immune system. Take vitamins and eat nutritious foods to give your immune system a boost. A strong immune system can better ward off germs. You can also help immunity with restful sleep, regular exercise and lower stress levels.
Avoid crowds or contact with people who are sick. Being around lots of people means being around more germs. Because cold and flu season overlaps with the holidays, it’s a great time to pay closer attention to careful hygiene.
Consider ways to limit your exposure. Rather than going to every concert, party or bazaar, pick a few. Perhaps choose open-air events. Or maybe shop during less busy times or make purchases online.
Use masks, nasal spray or other preventive measures. Your nose and mouth filter what you breathe in. Properly worn masks can cut down on those germs. Over-the-counter nasal sprays, throat mist and antiseptic mouthwash can also help kill germs before they make you sick. Talk with your family’s doctor for advice on whether or how these options might work for you.
Amp up cleaning routines. You can also try getting rid of germs in the house. Wipe down or sanitize things you touch a lot like faucets, doorknobs, keyboards, phones and remote controls. Air purifiers may also help remove viruses from your living space.
Keep care supplies on hand. Despite everyone’s best efforts, someone in your household might still come down with something. It’s helpful to have supplies on hand so you can provide care at home right away. See if this list of care kit essentials covers what you need.
“If your family does end up getting sick with flu symptoms, call your primary care office — especially if you or a loved has a high-risk medical condition,” says Mae Rabot-Cura, MD, a pediatrician at PeaceHealth in Eugene, Oregon.
“Your doctor might recommend taking antiviral medication. If it’s taken within the first two days of illness, the medicine may help you feel better, faster.”
When you have any kind of illness that can be passed on to others, it’s important to stay home from work or school until you feel better. This stops the spread to others. It’s part of doing what we can all do to protect ourselves and others this flu season.
