During the winter months, many people contract the flu. To most, it’s little more than a temporary nuisance. But to some, it’s a very serious health risk. If you suffer from a chronic health problem, the flu may worsen your symptoms. As such, it’s important to protect yourself from getting sick. Here are five simple ways to prevent seasonal flu.
1. Get a Flu Shot
One of the sure-fire ways to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu shot ahead of the season. As a rule, the seasonal vaccine will protect you from the dominant strain of the virus. You can also get a quadrivalent vaccine, which provides immunity from four types of the flu at once.
2. Wash Your Hands
To ensure good hygiene at all times, you need to wash your hands often. Yet most people don’t wash their hands the right way. For it to be effective, you need to use warm water and soap. Before you rinse the soap, you should rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Also, CDC recommends using a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer while on the go.
3. Eat Healthily
To equip your immune system to fight against the flu, you need to eat healthy foods rich in important nutrients. This means eating fresh fruits and vegetables, cutting down on fats and sugars, and drinking lots of water. Sticking to a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent seasonal flu.
4. Get Regular Sleep
Sleep is also essential to your well-being. While you sleep, your body replenishes its energy supplies. Sleep thus helps keep your body healthy and your immune system strong. As a rule, you should get about eight hours of sleep each night.
5. Avoid Touching Your Face
Flu germs can stay on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. When you touch them, they stick to your hands. If you proceed to touch your mouth, your nose, or your eyes, the virus will enter your body. To prevent this, avoid touching your face with your hands unless you’ve washed them first.
Final Word
These are some of the easiest ways to prevent seasonal flu. Make sure to maintain good hygiene, get enough sleep, and load up on vitamins. Also, ask your doctor to give you a flu shot, thus ensuring you’ll remain flu-free in the coming season.
