If you haven’t already seen it, within the next few weeks, you’ll notice everyone around you coughing, sneezing, and looking downright miserable. Cold and flu season is here! A typical flu season can last from late November through March. Along with getting vaccinated for the flu, practicing good hygiene and health habits can keep germs at bay, and will help you avoid catching a cold. Here are a few ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season.
Wash your hands
Washing your hands is easily one of the best ways you can avoid catching a cold and spreading germs to others. Whenever you touch an infected surface, and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes, you’re exposing yourself to germs that will get you sick. Practice frequent hand-washing with running soap and water. If a sink with running water isn’t easily accessible, keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer ready.
Build up a healthy immune system
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can also aid in flu-prevention. When your body is at its prime, you’ll be able to ward off cold and flu symptoms with ease. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, engage in regular exercise, and get proper sleep to keep your immune system in check.
Sanitize surfaces
Your home and office space are covered with germs that can make you sick. Sanitizing hard surfaces daily can kill germs in their tracks. Some key areas in your home you may want to focus on include counter-tops, kitchen appliances, doorknobs and handles, light switches, and remote controls. Some areas in your office you may want to wipe down include your desk area, laptop keyboard, mouse, and other frequented areas such as the microwave, water cooler.
Cover your mouth
Droplets from coughs and sneezes can travel, so be sure to cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze to avoid spreading germs and causing others to get sick. If a tissue isn’t nearby, opt for coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands.
Despite our best efforts, sometime, even the healthiest of us can come down with a cold or the flu. For times when home remedies can’t do the trick, visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington. We’ll have you in and out, so you can get back to feeling better, sooner. Call us or visit us today!
