Every year, the seasonal flu hits as the weather starts to turn colder. Millions of Americans will get sick, and the virus can lead to outcomes that range from a very mild illness to death. While the flu is usually widespread, there are steps that you can take to cut down on your risk of catching it.
Get a Flu Shot
The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get an annual flu shot. The shot is produced to protect against the strains of the flu that are circulating and estimated to be most prevalent in a given year. At the very least, the shot will provide some level of protection and make any illness less severe.
Clean Your House
Making sure your house is clean is another way to cut down on the likelihood that you come down with the flu. If there are germs on a surface, you could touch them and then transfer them to your mouth or nose. Soap and water is an excellent option for cleaning surfaces around your home. Additionally, you can use a disinfectant or sanitizer to dramatically cut down on the number of germs in your home. If someone in your house has the flu, you'll want to keep surfaces clean to cut down your risk.
Carpet is one surface that many people might forget to clean regularly. You can't exactly run a mop with sanitized water when dealing with carpet. Consider renting a carpet cleaner to kill many of the germs that might be caught in the fibers.
Change Your Air Filter
It might seem like a system of fibers housed in a cardboard frame might do little for the air quality in your house. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Air filters catch many of the pollutants that might otherwise circulate throughout your home. This includes pollen, bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms. The flu virus is included in the category of other microorganisms. Many air filters come with recommendations to replace them every month or every three months. It's a good idea to follow these instructions. Not only will it improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, but it will also cut down on the number of disease-causing pathogens that might be floating around your home.
Install an Air Cleaner
There are a couple of options that will help clean the air in your home. One is a whole-home air purification system. This option attaches to your HVAC system and filters all of the air that circulates throughout your home. There are also air purifies that are portable and intended to clean the air in a single confined space. If you're looking to cut down on the number of germs and other pollutants that are circulating through your house, you might look into one of these options to help keep your family free of the flu this year.
Bottom line: Avoiding the flu is an annual challenge. By taking the time to get a flu shot, clean various surfaces around your house, and changing your air filter, you should have a lower likelihood of getting sick. If you decide that you'd like to take additional steps to protect yourself, be sure to look to Jack Frost Heating and Air Conditioning. We have solutions that can help your home or office with improved indoor air quality. To schedule an appointment, call (973) 520-0505.