Get Through Flu Season Without Getting Sick
By Paul Rothbart
When winter is on the horizon, so is flu season. Though the strains vary from year to year, the symptoms remain unpleasant and potentially dangerous. No one wants the flu. It makes you miss time from work and play and you just feel lousy. Although there is no way to guarantee that you won't get the flu, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk. Try these precautions to avoid being sick in flu season.
Create an Environment Hostile to the Flu
Flu germs are able to live for about 8 hours on surfaces. All surfaces in your home should be cleaned and sanitized frequently. Vinegar, which is acidic, kills flu germs. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar into 16 ounces of water to make a sanitizing cleaner. Use it to wipe down counters, tables, and any other surfaces in your home.
People tend to keep their windows closed all day in the winter. This may keep your house warm, but it can encourage the growth of flu germs. Open your windows for 20-30 minutes each day to let in fresh air. Use a humidifier in your home as well. Air dries out in winter and the flu spreads more quickly in less humid air.
When using your dishwasher or clothes dryer, use hot water or the high setting. The heat will kill flu germs, keeping your dishes and clothes sanitized.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Flu germs often spread from person to person through contact of the hands. When you bring your hands to your face, the germs can enter the nose. Wash your hands multiple times a day. Any time you've been outside or had contact with people from outside your home, thoroughly wash for at least 20 seconds with a germ-killing soap. This will help kill the germs before they can infect you.
Get a Flu Shot
Though not 100 percent effective, flu vaccines nevertheless significantly reduce the risk of getting sick. You can get one from your primary care physician or at most pharmacies and they are generally covered by health insurance. If you are allergic to egg proteins, there is a shot without them you can get. A flu shot is a good precaution to take each year at the start of the season.
Nothing stops the flu season from coming each year. But that doesn't mean you have to get sick. Take the necessary precautions each flu season and you can greatly diminish the likelihood of getting the flu.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Port Orange, Fla.