Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu
November 5, 2021
It’s back – flu season is here once again, on top of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remind us that the single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year.
Also important, of course, are good health habits that often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu. These are practices we’ve all become very good at because of COVID. The CDC offers the following tips to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.
- Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. - Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others. - Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. - Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. - Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
During last year’s flu season, there was a lot of talk about a potential “twindemic” of flu and coronavirus. Fortunately, a combination of factors – including people adhering to the safety measures above – helped prevent that. This year, there’s speculation about a “severe” flu season. Let’s keep up the good work and keep ourselves and others healthy and safe!
Wondering about the differences and similarities between the flu and COVID-19? Read this.