Prevent Yourself From Getting the Flu

Feeling rundown, sneezing, coughing, or fatigued? All are symptoms of the flu, a contagious virus that usually spreads throughout the population during the late fall through early spring. The US experiences annual outbreaks of the seasonal flu however other variations include H1N1, bird flu and swine flu. Although many people who experience the flu recover after several sick days, certain groups of people are at higher risks for complications including death.
Flu symptoms are similar to many other conditions such as the common cold. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infected recipients may experience only one or two symptoms where as others experience a wide range of symptoms. Everyone experience symptoms differently. Because the flu spreads from person to person it’s best to limit contact with healthy individuals until after the disease has become non-contagious.
Follow these steps to prevent from getting this years flu virus.

• The flu vaccine is offered yearly at clinics, hospitals, and health centers. The flu vaccine offers the greatest potential to avoid getting the flu.

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Our hands come in contact with every possible germ each day. Alcohol based hand sanitizers also kill germs on contact. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or touching communal equipment such as toilets, telephones and door handles.

• Avoid touching your face. Germs can be spread from your hands into your mouth, nose and eyes, which lead into the bloodstream.

• Avoid close contact with sick people. Wear gloves, and facemasks if you have to work around sick people.

• Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue or sneeze or cough into your elbow. This limits the transfer of the virus to other people.

• Stay healthy. Eat right, get appropriate nutrients, drink water, get enough sleep, limit stress and you will be less susceptible to the flu.