How to Avoid Seasonal Flu

Seasonal flu is the type of flu in the U.S. that begins in the fall and ends in the spring each year. To avoid getting sick with the seasonal flu, easy steps can be taken. The same helps may keep you from getting swine flu too:

Seasonal Flu Prevention: 7 Lucky Charms

1. Simple hand washing prevents spreading many kinds of germs. Wet hands using water at a comfortable temperature and any preferred hand soap or waterless soap. Lather and rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Adults should count to 20, while children can sing or hum a short song like "Happy Birthday" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

2. Keep your distance. If you can't completely avoid a sick person, stay at least 3 feet away from them, so if they sneeze or cough their germs won't be so likely to reach you. Do the same if you are the sick person. Don't carelessly get your germs on others. Keep your distance also includes not sharing straws, drinks, forks, spoons, popcorn bags, chip bags, make-up, or anything that is put into your body or used on your body with a friend, classmate, or co-worker.

3. When sneezing or coughing, cover mouth and nose with a tissue, if possible or cough/sneeze into the inside bend of your arm/sleeve.

4. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you must touch them, wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching. This includes when putting on or taking off make-up and brushing teeth.

5. Help your body fight off all sorts of infections naturally, by starting the day with a healthy breakfast. This not only sets a good example for children, but also provides energy. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of sleep each night, and exercise regularly.

6. Know everyone shares responsibility for each other: If you don't want others to show up at work or school and infect everyone else, then you can't be knowingly sending sick kids to school or going to work and toughing-it-out when you're sick.

7. During flu season, disinfect high-use surfaces like door knobs, computers, handles, telephones, light switches, remote controls, toys, shared keys, and other household items family members or co-workers share to help slow or stop the spread of germs.

The Golden Ticket to Avoiding Seasonal Flu

The CDC recommends getting the seasonal flu shot every fall as early as possible. It takes about two weeks for immunization to occur, so it is best not to wait too long into the flu season to be sure of best chance of immunity. Because the seasonal flu virus may mutate each season, the CDC might say receiving the seasonal flu shot every year for many people is the golden ticket to avoiding the seasonal flu.

The seasonal flu vaccine is already available for the 2009 flu season. The swine flu (H1N1) vaccine will be ready in mid-October, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Resources:

Ask Dr. Besser www.abcnews.go.com

Influenza (Flu Facts) www.CDC.gov

Flu Checklist www.Redcross.org

Disclaimer: This or any other online article content cannot replace medical advice from licensed professionals. Content is for informational purposes only. Please seek counsel from a licensed health professional for this or any medical issue.