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7 Must-Know Tips to Prevent Flu This Year

2020 is not the year to get the flu. With a pandemic still active throughout the world, flu season is something to be kept on alert. The coronavirus and the flu have very similar symptoms, which increases the caution that must be taken when dealing with either illness.

If you are wondering how to prevent the flu this season, no matter what else is going on, there are precautions you can take. Though there is no complete guarantee, learning these tips and putting them into use can help prevent flu symptoms from disrupting your life. Check out these seven tips to keep the flu away this season.

1. The Flu Shot

You’ve probably heard this before, and most likely everywhere lately. Getting the flu vaccine is the number one flu prevention tool. It can also lessen the severity of the flu if you do end up contracting it. This could decrease the amount of time you are ill or reduce the side effects.

Anyone over the age of 6 months eligible to receive vaccines can get the flu shot. They are widely available, and you don’t need to have a primary care doctor to receive one. They are usually available for free at drug stores such as Rite-Aid, CVS, or Walgreens. No appointment is required.

It is recommended to get it at the beginning of fall before the peak of the season. It takes about two weeks for immune protection to develop, so the sooner, the better.

2. Wash Your Hands

You’ve definitely heard this over the past few months, and it applies to the flu too. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent any illness, as it is effective in killing the germs that get you sick.

The typical guideline is washing them in clean water for at least twenty seconds. If you do not have soap and water available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also do the trick for flu prevention.

3. Get Good Sleep

If you want to strengthen your immune system, getting enough restful sleep is a great way to do so. It is recommended to have at latest seven hours of sleep a night for adults. Not getting enough sleep can lead to increased inflammation and blood pressure.

Getting quality sleep can bolster your T cells, which help fight off infection. If you have trouble getting sleep, using a sleep aid and controlling your caffeine intake have the potential to help.

4. Disinfect Often

No matter if you are sick or someone you live with is sick, you should be disinfecting and cleaning services daily. High touchpoint areas such as doorknobs, countertops, and tables should be wiped down multiple times a day, depending on how much they are touched.

This is important in schools, homes, and workplaces. Keeping everything clean and disinfected at all times can reduce the chance of spreading germs and will keep you mindful of washing your hands after touching anything.

5. Avoid Close Contact

If you are sick, you should stay home until your symptoms have disappeared. This is especially important this season since the flu symptoms and coronavirus symptoms are so similar. If you feel sick, self-quarantine until you can either get a test or you start to feel better.

However, even if you are not sick, avoid close contact with others unless you are absolutely sure they are not sick. This can help prevent the spread of the illness, which can also decrease your chance of contracting it.

If you have a pre-existing condition, avoiding close contact is even more important. Finding ways to purchase the things you need online, such as groceries and prescription drugs, can help keep your distance and keep you safe without dramatically altering your way of life.

6. Cover Your Mouth and Nose

If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or using the crook of your elbow. The flu is spread by spreading these particles through the air, so stopping that from happening can also stop the spread.

Wearing a mask is also a great practice. This can help prevent these particles from reaching you, or yours from reaching others, and also keep you mindful of covering your mouth whenever coughing or sneezing.

It is also recommended that you avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in general, as you never know what germs could be on your hands, and touching those areas can increase your chances of getting sick. A mask can effectively help you avoid doing so.

7. Exercise and Eat Well

Exercise combined with a healthy diet can boost your immune system and be one of your best defenses for keeping the flu away. Eating nutritious food gives your body exactly what it needs so that everything works correctly. If you need your body on the defense, making sure it is in its best shape can make it more successful in doing so.

Exercise increases your blood flow while also reducing stress and inflammation. It can also strengthen antibodies, allowing your body’s immune cells to work effectively. This helps the body fight off infections, and when combined with a healthy diet, can keep your immune system in top shape.

Prevent Flu Symptoms

When attempting to prevent flu symptoms, knowing the science and putting it into practice is the best way to go about it. If you know how to kill germs, it is much easier to make sure you are doing so correctly.

Learn the flu symptoms and how it is spread, and you will be one step ahead of it this season. Keep your distance, clean often, and be mindful of your health, and you’ll be at your best to fight the flu. If you do end up contracting the flu, contact us for all of your medicinal needs!

Works Cited

  • Flu Season and the Coronavirus: How to Prepare – hopkinsmedicine.org
  • How Sleep Strengthens Your Immune System – healthline.com
  • Candian Rx Online – Discount Prices and Reliable Service – canadianpharmacyonline.com
  • Contact Us – canadianpharmacyonline.com