Prevent Flu With These 6 Easy Ways Amid This Pandemic

Lovata Andrean

Prevent Flu
Prevent Flu

Prevent Flu With These 6 Easy Ways Amid This Pandemic – Flu is a respiratory infection that affects many people every year. Anyone can catch the flu virus. Usually flu causes several symptoms, such as fever, aches, runny nose, cough, sore throat and tiredness. These signs generally get better within about 1 week without any complications.

But to older adults, whose immune mechanisms may be less robust, the flu can be dangerous. The risk of flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, is higher in older adults.

Up to 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people aged 65 years or older. If you are in this age group, it is important for you to know how to protect yourself before and after being exposed to the virus.

Even now, in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak, flu prevention measures need to be taken even more. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year, but good health habits such as avoiding people who are sick, covering your mouth when you cough, and frequently washing your hands can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.

Here are six efficient steps to prevent flu and keep your body healthy.

  • Avoid crowds

Avoiding large crowds is often difficult, but this must be done, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak. Limiting contact with people during flu season can reduce the risk of infection. What's more, flu can spread quickly in closed rooms. This includes schools, workplaces, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, wearing a face mask is absolutely recommended every time you leave the house. You can also protect yourself by staying away from people who are sick. Keep your distance from anyone who is coughing, sneezing, or experiencing signs of flu or other viruses.

  • Clean your hands regularly

Because flu viruses can live on hard surfaces, clean your hands regularly, especially before preparing food and eating. Apart from that, continue to clean your hands after using the bathroom.
Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands, when you can't find soap and water.
Apart from that, try not to touch your nose, mouth or eyes, after touching objects that many people hold, such as doorknobs, light switches and elevator buttons.
The flu virus can spread through the air, but can enter your body when exposed hands touch your face.
When cleaning your hands, use warm soapy water and rub your hands together for at least 2 seconds. Wash your hands and dry them with a clean towel.

  • Strengthen the immune system

Strengthening the immune system is another way to protect yourself from the flu. A strong immune system helps the body fight infections. If you do get sick, a strong immune system helps reduce the severity of symptoms.
To build immunity, sleep at least 7 to 9 hours per night. , maintain regular physical activities regularly – at least 30 minutes, 3x a week.
Apply a healthy eating scheme that contains lots of nutrients. Watch out for sugar, junk food, and foods high in fat. On the contrary, consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants, to improve health.
Talk to your doctor about taking multivitamins to provide immune system support.

  • Clean and disinfect all surfaces

The Covid-19 outbreak has definitely taught us to always maintain cleanliness. Not only personal hygiene, but also cleanliness in the environment.
If someone in your house has the flu, minimize the risk of catching it by keeping every surface clean in the house. This can help kill flu germs.
Use a disinfectant wash to wipe down doorknobs, telephones, toys, light switches, and other high-touch surfaces frequently every day. Sick people should also quarantine themselves to a specific side of the house.
If you care for a sick person at home, use a mask and surgical gloves when caring for them, and clean your hands afterwards.

  • Annual flu vaccination

Make sure you get a flu shot every year. The spread of flu viruses differs from year to year, so you need to update your vaccinations every year.
Remember, it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be effective. If you have the flu after vaccination, the shot can reduce the severity and duration of your illness.
Because the risk of complications is high for people over 65 years of age, try to get a flu vaccination at the start of the season. For those of you who are 65 years old, discuss with your doctor the chances of getting a high number of flu vaccines.
The high-volume vaccine contains about 4x the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot. Adjuvant vaccines contain chemicals that stimulate the immune mechanism. This injection can create a stronger immune response to vaccination.
In addition to getting an annual flu shot, ask your doctor about pneumococcal vaccination. This will protect you from pneumonia, meningitis, and other bloodstream infections.

  • Talk to your doctor if signs of flu appear

Because the flu can be dangerous for people over 65 years of age, see a doctor if you experience signs of the flu. Signs that need attention are fever, cough, sore throat, aches, headache, tiredness, runny or blocked nose.
These symptoms overlap with other respiratory infections, such as Covid-19. The doctor will likely ask you to do a Covid-19 test. While waiting for the test results, it is important to cover yourself, use a mask, and maintain good hygiene.
There is no cure for the flu. But if you have the virus and see a doctor sooner, you may receive a prescription for an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu.
If taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms, antivirals can shorten the duration of the flu and reduce the severity of symptoms. Besides that, it will reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia.

source: kompas.com

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Lovata Andrean

Hi, I'm Lovata, I'm not Ai but I am a content writer for SEO, Technology, Finance, Travel, Cooking Recipes and others. I hope this can be useful for all my friends. Thanks