How to Avoid the Flu
While it might seem premature to consider cold and flu prevention tips, early in the season is the best time to take precautions to ensure you escape cold and flu season unharmed. Keep in mind that because both cold and flu are viruses and not bacterial infections, they cannot simply be treated with antibiotics.
In some instances, an antiviral drug, like Tamiflu, might be prescribed to lessen cold or flu-like symptoms. Still, your body ultimately must rid itself of the virus on its own, which is all the more reason to follow preemptive steps to ensure you stay healthy this season.
Flu Prevention Tips
There are some steps that you can take to prevent the flu. Here are a few tried and true methods to keep cold and flu at bay.
1. Get Vaccinated
While the flu vaccine’s effectiveness varies from year to year, vaccines are still critical in preventing the flu for a number of reasons. First, they allow the body to develop antibodies to protect against viral infections. Second, they lessen flu symptoms and reduce the likelihood of more serious outcomes, like hospitalizations. Third, they keep more vulnerable populations like children and the elderly safe. A flu vaccine is intended to keep both you and the greater population safe.
2. Wash and Sanitize Your Hands
Washing and sanitizing your hands is one of the most effective ways to avoid spreading germs, keeping yourself and others healthy. Whether it is after you use the restroom, prepare food, care for a sick family member, handle pets, or take out the garbage, remember to wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry to stop germs in their tracks. If soap and water are not available, try a hand sanitizer.
3. Go to Bed Early
More and more research is linking sleep, or the lack thereof, to the development of colds. A recent study showed that individuals who were exposed to a common cold virus and received five to six hours of sleep every night were four times more likely to contract the virus and get sick than those who were exposed to the same virus but received more than six hours of sleep every night. The link between sleep and colds isn't clear, but some researchers attribute it to greater inflammation in the body among people who sleep less. Whatever the cause, adults need at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and teens and children need even more.
4. If You Get Sick, Stay Home
If you begin developing cold and flu symptoms, you must take the time to rest and stay home. Going to work or school when you are infected will only put others at risk of developing an infection and prolong your recovery. Consider working from home or take a couple of days to rest and recuperate.
5. Drink Fluids, Eat Nutritious Foods, and Exercise
The standard health advice holds true when it comes to preventing colds and flu: drink lots of water, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of exercise. Performing these behaviors will make it easier for your immune system to ward off potential infections. Also, remember not to smoke and keep alcohol consumption to a minimum, as smoking negatively impacts your respiratory system (in addition to other things), and alcohol can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Cold and Flu Treatment
If you feel a cold or flu coming on and need immediate treatment, telehealth is a great way to do that. At PlushCare, our doctors can help answer questions you may have, such as:
How long are you contagious when you have the flu?
How do you prevent the flu when you feel it coming on?
How do you prevent getting the flu after being exposed?
Doctors can not only answer questions, but can also prescribe medication needed, or refer you to a specialist, all over the phone.
Book an appointment with a Plushcare doctor to discuss your symptoms.
Read More About Cold & Flu
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu. Accessed February 16, 2021 at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm
National Public Radio. Sleep More, Sneeze Less: Increased Slumber Helps Prevent Colds. Accessed February 16, 2021 at https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/09/01/436385137/aim-for-at-least-7-hours-of-sleep-nightly-to-fend-off-a-cold/
