School, extracurricular activities, holidays, travel, and the office: these are all prime situations and locations for flu germs to spread quickly through communities. Before flu season strikes again this year, consider some quick tips from the team at The Mollen Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Know Where Your Hands Have Been (And Where They’re Going) – Our hands are typically exposed to the largest amount of germ-infested surfaces. Keep this in mind before you start rubbing your eyes and touching your face. Flu germs are aggressive and are searching for an opportunity to reach your system. Be intentional about keep your hands away from your face to reduce the risk of getting the virus.
- Get Vaccinated – Experts continue to emphasize the importance of vaccinations each year. Since the flu virus is constantly changing, immune systems need help fighting against the virus. At The Mollen Clinic, we agree that vaccination is an important preventive measure for all ages. Getting vaccinated between October and November will give you the best chance of avoiding the flu altogether.
- Educate the Kids – Teach children to cover their mouth when they cough and sneeze, and to wash their hands with soap and warm water. Although these methods are simple, they can significantly decrease the spread of flu germs in schools, daycares, gymnasiums, and other places where large groups of kids spend time.
- Make Exercise a Regular Habit – Research shows individuals who participate in moderate exercise five days a week decrease their chance of catching a cold by over 30 percent. In addition to being less vulnerable to sickness, these individuals enjoy the advantage of spending 43 percent fewer days per year suffering from the unpleasantness of upper-respiratory infections. When the blood starts pumping, immune cells become more active throughout the body.
- Wash Your Hands – Not just a quick rinse. To properly minimize your chances of catching the flu, wash your hands with warm soapy water. This is one of the most practical steps towards protecting yourself from the flu. One step some people neglect in hand washing is proper drying. You risk picking up extra germs when you walk away with damp hands, so always be thorough and regularly put out clean, dry hand towels to promote good health.
- Make Time for Sleep – Exhaustion weakens your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to germs. The winter months are busy with holidays, starting a new semester, traveling, and many other tiring activities. Although it’s often tempting to compromise a good night’s sleep in these demanding seasons, sleep will keep your immune system strong – keeping you healthier overall.
- Don’t Go to Work Sick – Feeling under the weather? Stay home instead of taking your germs to work. Your employer and co-workers should be thankful that you aren’t bringing a virus to the workplace. For kids, missing a test and not turning in homework on time can be excused when staying home means keeping the rest of the class and the teacher healthy. Many kids are sent to school with sniffles and coughs, which is one of the main reasons so many children get the flu each year.
- Start Boosting Your Immune System – Probiotics, garlic, herbs, spices, and a handful of other healthy alternatives may help your immune system fight back with viruses. Herbs like oregano and thyme are believed to help strengthen the system; start seasoning beans, sauces, winter soups, and other foods with these tasty remedies. Probiotics could be helpful because they expose your body to useful bacteria, which train your body to react proactively when it comes into contact with harmful germs.
- Stay Hydrated – Drinking water is helpful when you are already sick, but it may also help avoid illness altogether. Proper water intake helps hydrate immune cells, allowing them to fight germs more effectively. The same way your body feels tired without enough water, your immune system also gets tired.
- Feed Yourself for Health – Maintaining a healthy diet is an excellent method for sustaining good health throughout flu season. Focus on filling your meals primarily with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other health-promoting substances. Stay away from saturated fats.
Schedule Your Appointment In Scottsdale, AZ
To schedule your appointment, call The Mollen Clinic in Scottsdale at 480-656-0016. At-risk individuals, including children, pregnant women, older patients, and individuals with compromised immune systems, should talk to their provider about getting flu protection this season.