Both the term and the phenomenon are so common that “Influenza” had to be abbreviated as flu. This is one recurring illness that knocks almost every door at the onset of winter no matter whatever precautions you’ve been taking!

Children and old people are more susceptible to this virus that exists in 3 variants – type A, B, and C. When it comes to the elderly at your home with lung disorders or diabetes, the illness may turn out to be pernicious as well!

Nevertheless, there are certain dos and don’ts that you may abide by to keep the common flu at bay. Here are a few tips concerning the same…

Get your flu shot

A flu shot is one that contains the flu vaccine. Especially for aged individuals above 60 (although you can go for it even if you aren’t that old), a flu shot each year is widely recommended. Not only can your health care provider or personal physician provide you with the shot but it’s nowadays commonly available at the grocery stores and drug stores as well. You can opt for any of these sources as the vaccine within the shot remains unaltered no matter from where you get it!

           

Note this – you could catch the virus even after getting the shot but the symptoms, in this case, would be much milder.

Get into the “good” habits

You know the things we are going to talk about in this section. This would rather function just as a reminder (sometimes we tend to ignore things which we are already aware of)! Influenza could be well prevented if not eradicated with the following norms that you need to strictly adhere to…

  • Wash and/or sanitize your hands thoroughly. At places where handwashing is not feasible (that is you don't have a washbasin or access to soap and water), use an alcohol-based sanitizer. The hand scrubbing (with sanitizer or soap and water) should be perfect – at least for 20 seconds at a stretch!
  • Not only your hands but other surfaces need to be sanitized too. Viruses may survive on various surfaces that you might not have even imagined! Your doorknob, the switchboards in your room, the keypad of your tab, and even your hand purse! Not to forget – your smartphone which is the only handheld device for the major part of the day! Simply wipe them with a handkerchief soaked in a disinfectant solution - it works.
  • Take good care of your immune. Well, there's no substitute for healthy and home-cooked food. But vitamin supplements do complement with nutrients too! Vitamin C and D3 are known to prevent colds and support the immune system respectively. Multivitamins are the best choice sometimes to inject the right amounts of minerals and vitamins that are required by your body.

Let the fresh air in!

Have you ever wondered why winter is the "flu season" when the latter is not caused by the "cold temperatures" but specifically a virus? Though there are many answers to this query, one big reason for the virus spreading is 'shut' doors and windows. When all of you in the room inhale the same stale air, the virus gets more “viral”! if it’s too chill out there, pick up a room freshener that would remove allergens and neutralize viruses and other germs.

Get into the habit of keeping your face ‘touch-free’

The habit of touching the eyes, nose, the mouth should be readily aborted! Germs are allowed in through your face openings and the contamination takes place!

 

The rest of the norms are commonly known – staying at home, staying indoors, and avoiding close contact even with your near and dear ones when the symptoms show up, are some of the do’s that could keep the flu at bay.