Each year, millions of people get the flu. Because there are so many different strains, it is quite easy to contract, and leads to many being too sick to work, having to stay in bed for days, and even death. It is a miserable state to be in, but there are things you can do to prevent getting the flu.
The Center for Disease Control, or CDC has three things they recommend for flu prevention.
- Get the flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that you should get the latest flu vaccine shot each year. The vaccine protects against the three most common viruses that year. While not absolutely saying everyone should get this, they do recommend that everyone 6 months old or older should get this shot. They especially recommend this for at-risk people like elderly, people with chronic conditions like asthma, young children, pregnant women, and those in health care should get it for sure.
- Take preventative actions to stop the spread of the virus. If you know someone that is sick, don’t be around them. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes as much as possible. These things help to prevent the spread of the virus, and can stop the disease in its tracks.
- Take prescribed medications if your doctor recommends them. There are antiviral drugs you can take that can treat the illness. If you are prescribed these, then take them as prescribed.
If you follow the CDC’s recommendations, you are much less likely to contract this disease.
