How to Protect Yourself From the Seasonal Flu

Keep reading to learn how to boost your immunity and protect yourself from the flu.

As the season begins to change, you’ll find a resurgence in the number of people with the flu, a viral respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe symptoms. It is extremely contagious and can spread easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or touching a contaminated surface. While most people will recover, it’s best to take steps to protect yourself from it. Below are some effective ways to prevent getting the flu.

Get vaccinated: The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent catching the flu. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months gets vaccinated every year, though you should get the go-ahead from your healthcare provider before any vaccination. The vaccine is designed to protect against the strains of the flu virus that are most likely to be circulating in a given year.

Wash your hands: Regular hand washing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent getting the flu. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, especially after touching surfaces in public areas. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, but be sure to wash your hands properly when you can. These are just good health habits that will keep you protected against an array of infections.

Avoid close contact with people who are infected: If someone around you has come down with the flu, try to avoid close contact with them. If you must be in close contact with someone who is sick (perhaps you are their caregiver), wear a mask to reduce your risk of getting infected.

Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of the tissue immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand; this will help prevent the spread of the flu.

Clean and disinfect surfaces: The flu virus can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, so it’s important to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops. Use a disinfectant cleaner that is effective against the flu virus.

Stay home if you’re feeling sick: If you have symptoms of the flu, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat, stay home and avoid contact with others. This will help to prevent the spread of the virus to others and will also aid in your own recovery if you do have it.

Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of getting the flu. It’ll also help you recover faster if you do fall ill. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, and try and avoid processed foods and sugary drinks. Staying hydrated is equally important, especially if you find yourself with a fever.

Get plenty of sleep: Adequate sleep is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and helping your body fight any infections. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and establish a regular sleep schedule.

Exercise regularly: There’s plenty of research to show how regular physical activity can improve one’s immunity—aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. The WHO recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and this could be in the form of a brisk walk, swimming, aerobics, etc. 

Manage stress: Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. Practice stress-management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, or any other method that you have found works for you. If you find yourself struggling with this, contact a mental health professional—they can help you with tools to improve your mental health. 

In addition to these measures, there are medications that can be used to treat the flu when symptoms begin to show up. However, do take these medicines under the supervision of a healthcare professional. 

At Seva At Home, we produce a wealth of free health information to help individuals and families live healthier, happier lives. This has been produced by independent research carried out by the Seva At Home team. This information is not a replacement for medical advice. Please consult your physician for relevant medical diagnosis and advice.

To learn more about our healthcare services in India, contact our caregiving team today at +1 (603) 718-4828 if you are based in North America, or at 1800-120-800-003 if you are based in India.