Flu season is in full swing. Causing symptoms like fever, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches, the flu can be downright miserable. And for young children, older adults, and anyone with an impaired immune system, the illness can be life-threatening. This is why it's so important to take the following fourstep to protect yourself and your family members from the influenza virus.
Get Vaccinated
Years ago, when flu vaccines were in short supply, they were only recommended for elderly adults and others at an increased risk of serious flu complications. That has changed. The Centers for Disease Control now advises that everyone age six months or older gets a flu vaccine unless they have a severe allergy to ingredients in the vaccine.
Widespread vaccination has an effect called herd immunity, in which the spread of the disease is reduced because fewer people in the community become infected and able to spread the disease. So getting your flu shot is not just good for you-it's good for your whole family and for everyone you interact with.
You cannot get the flu from the flu shot; the vaccine contains inactivated viruses that cannot make you ill. Serious side effects are very rare. Even if you had a flu shot last year, you need a new one this season since the new vaccine protects against the forms of the virus that are most common right now.
Wash Your Hands More Often
The flu vaccine, though an excellent way to protect yourself from the flu, is not 100 percent effective. To further reduce your risk of contracting the flu, make sure you wash your hands often and thoroughly throughout flu season. You could easily pick up the flu virus when you touch a doorknob, shake hands with someone, or type on a keyboard. If you then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes, you'll introduce that virus to your body.
To wash your hands properly, you need to use soap and rub your hands together for at least 15 to 20 seconds. If you are not using an automatic faucet, grab a paper towel and use it to prevent bare hand contact with the faucet as you turn the water off. Faucet handles are often laden with germs, including the flu virus.
Amp Up Your Cleaning Routine
A family member could bring home the flu virus and start spreading it a full day before they start showing symptoms. For this reason, it's important to amp up your cleaning routine during flu season. You want to ensure that if anyone brings home the flu virus, you keep it from getting passed on to other family members. Some suggestions for better cleaning include:
- Wipe down your faucets, door knobs, and cupboard handles with a cleaner that destroys viruses.
- Change your HVAC filter every two weeks to prevent recycling of germs through the air.
- Empty your trash cans daily, and keep lids on them.
- Soak your kitchen sponges in bleach water to remove germs daily.
If you are too busy to thoroughly clean your home, consider hiring a house cleaning service to do so for you - even if it's just during flu season.
Get More Sleep
This is a busy time of year, and you may think you have better things to do than go to bed early. But studies show that a lack of sleep seriously impairs your immunity, making a bout of the flu more likely. Focus on getting a full eight hours of sleep every night, and encourage family members to do the same.
Some ways to improve your sleep habits include:
- Stop looking at screens an hour before bedtime, so you have an easier time drifting off.
- Forgo parties and gatherings that you know will keep you out late.
- Cut back on television to allow more time for sleep.
If you follow the four steps above, you'll greatly reduce your chances of waking up with the fever, chills, and aches of the flu this year. For more advice, schedule an appointment with the doctors at Amin Family Medical Center.
