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Three Easy Ways to Avoid the Flu

Flu season is no longer coming–it is here. No one wants to stay at home with fever, nausea, and the other unpleasantries that come with being sick. Even if you got the flu shot, with the dismal effective numbers for this year’s vaccine, odds are pretty good you’ll still get sick. It never hurts to do your part when you want something. If good health is high on your list, check out the tips below. Practicing these three tips can help reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of this year’s debilitating strain of influenza.

Wash Your Hands: Everyone hears that handwashing is important but what most people don’t hear frequently enough is how to do it right. To avoid infection, hands must be scrubbed with soap for at least twenty to thirty seconds. Thirty seconds is approximately the time it takes to sing the ABC song. Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean water and dry them well. Regular handwashing is by far the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient protection against contracting the flu.

Avoid Germ-Laden Surfaces: You don’t have to refuse to use your hands to open doors or wear gloves everywhere to protect yourself from germy fixtures. A little knowledge about germ hotspots can help you decide what to touch and what you’d rather not handle. Gas pump dispensers are much dirtier than toilet seats and wiping down shopping carts is definitely a good idea. Carrying a small container of hand sanitizer in your pocket will allow you to instantly zap any germs. However, keep in mind that sanitizers kill good germs that help build your immune system as well as bad germs that make you sick, so use it sparingly.

Flu Posters

Stay Away From Crowds: Chilly winter weather makes indoor activities much more appealing. Unfortunately, it is much easier to pass germs around in close quarters. If at all possible, avoid venues that you know will be crowded. Do your grocery shopping at times that are less busy, such as the middle of the week. Try to stay away from locations such as malls, crowded theaters, or events where a lot of people will be in a confined space.

The tips above do not guarantee you’ll make it through the season illness-free but they can certainly decrease your chances of getting sick. As an added bonus, protecting yourself from the flu also prevents you from spreading it to others. When you consider the loss of time, money, and the terrible feeling of having the flu, a little handwashing or grocery shopping at odd hours seems like no big deal.