We
all have had it or know someone who has, the dreaded flu that comes with flu
season.
Flu
season (as it is commonly referred to) begins in October, peaks in December,
and lasts until April and sometimes even May.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, between 9.2 million and 35.5 million cases of the flu are documented in the United States
and responsible for over an estimated 140,000 hospitalizations and between
12,000 and 56,00 deaths.
Although
some groups of people such as young children, adults over 65 and individuals with
compromised immune systems have a higher chance of catching the flu, there are steps
everyone can take to help minimize their exposure and build up their immune system
to reduce the risk of catching the flu.
Get a Flu Shot
Flu
shots are designed to protect your body against the most common strands and
viruses coming in the upcoming flu season. Within a few weeks of receiving the
shot, these vaccines help your body develop antibodies to help fight the virus
that you may come in contact with.
Wash Your Hands
Washing
your hands often and thoroughly can help reduce the risk of exposing your body
to germs. By washing your hands properly, you reduce the risk of spreading any
germs from your hands to your eyes, nose and mouth, these are the most common ways
the flu virus enters your body.
Try flu Antiviral drugs
Antiviral
Flu drugs are prescription medications that reduce the severity of the flu if
taken enough in advance. When used within the first 2 days of visible symptoms,
Antiviral drugs may reduce the total sick time and even reduce some of the
symptoms.
Practice Good Health Habits
Your
immune system is what protects your body, so help protect it! You can keep your
immune system from working to hard by practicing good health habits. Some good habits include; Sleeping 7-9 hours
each night, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as exercising
frequently, all help your body protect itself against foreign viruses.
Avoid Contact
Avoiding
contact all together can be difficult if you are in close quarters but is still
worth acknowledging. Since the flu virus
can be transmitted by air (sneezing or coughing) as well as touch it is best to
air on the side of caution when a friend or coworker has a tickle in their
throat or is sneezing due to what they think is “only allergies.”