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This post is sponsored by Diamond Links.
I work in a hospital and they take flu season very seriously. They’ve drilled certain things into our heads to help prevent the flu and daily to help the spread of all germs. Here are 10 things you can do to help prevent the flu.
- Hand Washing – This is the most important. If you don’t even read the rest of the list you can do a lot just by washing your hands. Our hospital tells us we should wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That’s long enough to sing the birthday song.
- Cover your mouth and nose – When sneezing or coughing cover with your hand or a tissue. You can even wear a scarf or take a handkercheif with you when you have to leave the house for a doctor’s appointment or to go the pharmacy.
- Regularly wipe down frequently touched surfaces – Things like doorknobs, toilet flush lever, sink knobs, etc can be wiped down with an all purpose spray or wipes. Think about it, not everyone washes their hands like they should.
- Clean electronics – This is something not everyone thinks about. Things like keyboards, TV remotes, touch screen devices, and headsets come in contact with a lot of fingers. We actually had a rash of pink eye go around our house one year and I realized it was being spread by a touchscreen tablet that everyone was using!
- Eat Healthy – You body can better fight off the flu when it has the nutrients it needs.
- Antibacterial gels/sprays – Keeping an antibacterial gel on you when you travel or in the car can help when hand washing isn’t possible. There are plenty of antibacterial options out there from products like Purell, to alcohol-free options, and natural options like Doterra OnGuard sanitizing spray.
- Consider the flu vaccine – I know not everyone is interested in vaccines but for those that are there are plenty of places to get the flu vaccine even if you don’t have insurance. Rite Aid stores offer flu vaccines for $25 and if you have insurance, often it’s free. Of course your doctor’s office or your child’s pediatrician is another source to obtain flu vaccines. Some employers also off the flu vaccines to it’s employees.
- Drink plenty of water – this is a good idea anyway. There is some research that says drinking plenty of water can help strengthen you immune system thus helping your body fight the flu.
- Immune boosting supplements – there are some that swear by products like Emergen-C or Airborne. A friend recommended air born to me and I stock up during flu season.
- Get Plenty of Sleep – According to the Sleep Foundation, when we don’t get enough sleep our bodies can get out of wack. Lower our immune systems and more.
With the spring not too far off in the distance Dr Summit Shah can help with your allergy needs too!
