Avoid the Flu Bug This Year

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year due to the flu and 20,000 of those affected are children younger than 5 years old. An astonishing 36,000 people die from the flu on average.

The flu is a very contagious disease but it can be prevented. There are several ways to protect yourself and your family from getting the flu this year.

Preventative measures need to be in place. In fact, these measures should be adhered to year round to protect yourself and your family from a whole host of germs and bacteria.

Getting the flu shot each year should definitely be on your to-do list. Many companies offer this service to their employees free of charge or at a discount. If your company doesn't, find out if there are any programs going on in your community for free or reduced flu shots. Still, no matter how much you try you may not be able to get a flu shot this year. Either because it is not available, or, because you don't like to get shots or cannot get a flu shot for medical, personal, or religious reasons.

The flu shot is not a guaranteed prevention. The flu shot is prepared to fight off what the experts 'think' is going to be the flu strain that will hit us. Sometimes they are wrong. Therefore, you should continue to be pro active and take precaution.

Anywhere people are the flu can be. Some of the items you are likely to touch in a public place or work setting are elevator buttons, doors, door knobs, phones, complimentary pens, chair armrests, stair railing, shopping carts, money, computer keyboards, atm machines and screens, and of course direct contact with the other people.

It takes a couple of days before we begin feeling the full effect of the flu, that doesn't mean that we aren't contagious before we begin having the symptoms. If you must shake hands with someone, be sure to wash your hands afterward or use germicide. During the flu season it should not be considered rude to ask the other person not to shake your hand. If you don't feel comfortable saying that, you could always tell the person "Sorry, I would shake your hand but I feel like I am coming down with something. I sure don't want to get you sick." I know we don't want to live like germophobes, but, sometimes you have to in order to not get sick. The best rule of thumb is to wash your hands and wash them often.

Your home can be a hotbed for germs. Your children or spouse can easily bring germs home with them. Be sure to encourage your family to frequently wash their hands. Teach your children not to share food and drink with their friends. Frequently use Lysol or other antiviral spray on doors, antiviral wipes on surfaces, and you can even find antiviral sprays for the air. Children can get the flu shot, talk to your doctor about this and get his feelings on the subject.

Ways to help prevent being susceptible to the flu. No matter if you get the flu shot, use antibacterial gel religiously, or open doors with your elbows you are still susceptible to getting the flu. To further help you avoid the flu you should also follow some other measures such as keeping your hands away from your face. One study showed that the average person touches their face about 15 times an hour. Avoiding hand contact to your nose and mouth can help reduce your risk of getting the flu. Smoking increases your chances of getting sick because the cilia that prevent germs from being swept into your lungs are paralyzed from smoking. Use tissues instead of handkerchiefs. Take your vitamins, especially Vitamin E. Stress reduces your immunity. Try to find ways to reduce stress in your life. Excessive alcohol intake also affects your immune system as does lack of sleep. You should be getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night to keep your immune system healthy.

Getting sick is something you can't always prevent, but if you attempt to protect yourself from these viral bugs, you are more likely to not get sick. You are also more likely to avoid having multiple viruses. It is not unheard of to have more than one virus at a time. If you can at least prevent one virus you have helped yourself out.