Flu season, which plagues the populace every fall and winter without fail, is something that everyone dreads. Even a mild case of the flu can leave you feeling completely miserable, and many can’t afford to be laid up in bed sick for even a few days. For that reason, and a host of others, it’s important to do everything possible to avoid catching the flu whenever possible. This article takes a look at five ways you can avoid catching the flu this winter.
- Get the Annual Flu Shot: One of the most important ways you can avoid the flu is to get the annual flu shot from medical professionals. The flu shot can be obtained from a number of places, including the local urgent care center, from your doctor at their office, or any place that provides basic healthcare services. If you do nothing else, getting the flu shot will drastically cut down the chances of catching the flu virus.
- Wash Your Hands Frequently: Another way to avoid catching the flu is to wash your hands frequently. Medical professionals recommend washing your hands several times a day anyway, but it should be increased during flu season. The common rule of thumb is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after touching or coming into direct contact with anyone you believe is infected with the flu virus. Washing your hands with soap and water will kill most of the germs and make it harder to develop the virus inside yourself.
- Avoid Those Already Infected If Possible: A third way to avoid catching the flu is to avoid those already infected with the virus whenever possible. This can be hard to do, especially if the flu is making its way through wherever you work, but it’s not impossible. If you can’t avoid them entirely, make sure to avoid direct physical contact, and keep distance if anyone is coughing or sneezing. The flu virus is most contagious during the first week after symptoms begin to show, so that’s the time you most need to avoid people infected with the virus.
- Visit Urgent Care When Symptoms Appear: A fourth way to avoid catching the flu is to visit medical professionals at the local urgent care if symptoms begin to appear in yourself. If you head to the clinic in the first week that symptoms begin to show, there is a reasonable chance that you’ll be able to receive treatment to head off the worst of the virus. You might not escape entirely, but it won’t be as bad as suffering a full-blown case of the flu.
- Get Plenty of Rest At Night: And finally, a fifth way to avoid catching the flu is to make sure to get plenty of rest at night. Staying well-rested can help keep your immune system strong, and can make it harder to get sick.
In conclusion, there are a number of things you can do to avoid getting the flu when flu season comes around. These include getting the annual flu shot, washing your hands frequently, avoiding those already infected with the virus, visiting urgent care when symptoms appear, and getting plenty of rest at night. By following any of these tips, you should be well on your way to avoiding the flu.
