Tips for Preventing the Flu

Every year millions of people become sick from the flu. The flu is spread by little droplets that enter your body through the nose or mouth. When a person that is carrying the flu virus sneezes or coughs, the virus is excreted from their body's. This puts you and everyone around the sick person at risk for catching the flu virus. You can also become infected with the flu virus by touching a sick persons tissues, or other items that have been used, and then touching your face. No one likes to be sick, so here are some tips for preventing the flu.

As the flu season approaches, get your flu shot. Certain people are more at risk for having complications from the flu, so be sure everyone in your home is vaccinated. If you have any concerns about the flu shot, talk with your doctor.

Eating a healthy, well balanced diet, will help keep your immune system ready to fight. Include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your diet because certain ones are high in vitamin C and other immune boosters.

Gent plenty of rest. If your body is all worn out, and run down, your immune system will be the same. Be sure that you are getting plenty of sleep each night and take a nap during the day if you can.

Avoid anyone that is sick! Try to avoid going around anyone that is coughing, sneezing, has a fever, or any other noticeable sign of sickness. When in public, distance yourself from people that are coughing and sneezing. Avoid shaking hands with someone that has a runny nose, cough or is sneezing, because the flu can be spread through touch.

If someone in your home is sick, limit contact with that person as much as possible. Make a "sick room", this keeps all sickies in one area. Be sure to wash your hands after going into this room and disinfect everything in the room when the sickies are feeling better.

Teach your children to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use tissues to sneeze or cough into, so that the germs will not be all over their hands. Be sure that the tissue is immediately discarded after use. You don't want dirty tissues all over the place.

Be sure to wash your hands frequently. You should wash your hands thoroughly after being in public, coming in contact with another sick person, and before eating. You should wash your hands before touching your face. Your hands may carry the flu virus on them and when you touch your face, you can infect your body. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer when there is no water around.

Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down your shopping cart. You never know what the person that had the shopping cart before you had.

Avoid eating and drinking after others, even if they are not sick. Try not to share your food and drinks with children, because, children are usually the first to catch a flu virus.

You should not share toothbrushes, makeup and other personal items with anyone, sick or not.

You should disinfect all hard surfaces in your home regularly. Use Lysol to spray telephones, light switches, door knobs, remote controls and other items that are frequently touched.

Following these tips will not fully prevent the flu, but your chances of staying healthy are drastically increased. An important rule to remember is, don't touch your face until your hands are washed.