While it is good to be vaccinated for the flu every year, there are some strains that the vaccine does not cover. Luckily, there are some healthy habits that you can incorporate into your daily life to keep the flu and other colds away during this flu season.
Avoid Close Contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick and even others who are not, just in case they are not showing symptoms yet. Also, when you are sick, be sure to keep your distance to protect the people around you. If possible, when you are sick, stay home from school, work, and other public areas this also prevents others from getting sick.
Cover Your Nose and Mouth
When you sneeze or cough, make sure you cover your mouth and nose. The flu and other respiratory illnesses are usually spread by someone coughing or sneezing. These illnesses can also spread from unclean hands, so make sure you are washing your hands often!
Wash Your Hands
As stated earlier, washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep yourself protected from unwanted germs. For times that a sink isn’t available, hand sanitizer can also clean up your hands quickly. Even if you are washing your hands regularly, it is also important to avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth as this is how germs can enter the body.
Other good health habits to keep you free of sickness include:
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces frequently
- Being physically active
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Eating foods that are nutritious
- Managing your stress
If you follow these habits as much as you can, you are less likely to get sick this season.
Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.
Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, Discusses Habits for Staying Healthy During Flu Season