How to Protect Yourself During Flu Season

When is flu season? It’s when we are most vulnerable to respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia, lung infection, etc. Flu season symptoms vary from person to person. While some people only experience mild discomfort, others experience excruciating pain. In extreme cases, the flu can cause death.

Although the flu seems to be more prevalent in adults, particularly senior citizens, anybody can be a victim. In the United States alone, thousands of adults and children are hospitalized every year at the flu season peak. As frightening as this might be, you can protect yourself, as well as your loved ones from catching the flu. 

Here are some precautionary measures to take so as to stay safe during flu season.

Ensure You Are Properly Vaccinated

To stay immune from the flu during this season, get yourself and your loved ones vaccinated at least once a year. The vaccine helps you produce antibodies to fight off the viruses that come with the flu.

There are different types of anti-flu vaccines you can take. The most common type of vaccine is called the trivalent vaccine, as it provides protection from the three viruses responsible for influenza. You can always consult a medical professional to find out more.

Avoid Unhealthy Habits

The flu is highly contagious – that’s why it spreads pretty quickly. To protect yourself and others, always place a handkerchief over your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Always discard the tissue you used to clean off mucus properly – also avoid touching one used by others. If you can, steer clear of people who are down with flu. If you must help them, seek the advice of a doctor.

Practice washing your hands with soap and water as often as you can. Simple, but yet effective against the flu.

Also, get into the habit of cleaning surfaces you regularly make contact with. For instance, your mobile phones, work desk, PC, door knobs, etc.

Healthy eating and regular exercising will be of great help, too.

See a Doctor

Headache, sore throat, fever, cough, runny nose; these are just some of the symptoms of the flu. Should you experience any one of them over a long period of time, seek medical attention, because it might be the flu. 

If you are in the Walnut Creek area and need urgent care for the flu, you can always reach out to us.

Avoid Work If You Are Feeling Feverish

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of flu, it’s in your interest and of your colleagues to stay away from work. The reason is this: it might mean you’ve contracted flu already – you wouldn’t want to pass it on to others.

Secondly, it might be you’ve haven’t caught the flu yet but are about to – you need to treat yourself quickly. Either way, the best thing you could do is stay away from work. Your employers will understand.

Avoid Touching Your Mouth and Nose

When flu attacks, it first attacks the mouth and nose, and sometimes the eyes. By resisting the urge to touch your nose, mouth, and eyes, especially during flu season’s peak, you’d be curtailing the spread of the virus.

We’ve shared with you some easy steps you can take to keep yourself safe during flu season. If you are down already and need urgent care for the flu, get in touch. We provide urgent care in Walnut Creek, as well as urgent care in the East Bay Area.

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