Each year, flu season strikes and many people end up getting seriously sick or in the hospital. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and, possibly, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms may vary with individuals, but the fact remains you need to do what you can to prevent it. To protect yourself, consider the following five tips to stay healthy during the flu season:
Keep your Hands away from your Face
Many people get the flu by simple contact. They touch something that was touched by someone who had the flu. Anytime you go out in public, make it a point not to touch your face before using hand sanitizer. By doing this, you will be protecting yourself and your family.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Letting yourself get rundown during flu season will only increase your risk of contracting the flu. When your body is lacking sleep, the immune system is not able to function properly. Your inability to fight off bacteria and germs will most likely result in getting the flu. Be sure to get an average of eight hours of sleep to keep your immune system strong.
Eat Healthier and Drink more Water
Your body requires certain nutrients and vitamins to work efficiently. If you find that you are not able to eat as healthy as you should, taking vitamin supplements may benefit you. Avoid foods that have a high sugar content, as well as most processed foods. You should also be drinking more than the recommended eight glasses of water a day. Supplement your liquid intake with sports drinks or teas that will replenish lost minerals and keep you healthy.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth often and using a mouthwash will help to prevent the build-up of bacteria in your mouth and reduce the chances of you contracting a virus. Forest Lawn Dental Centre dentists in Calgary recommend that you see your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. This will ensure the risk of infection is kept to a minimum. Flossing daily will also help get rid of bacteria that could cause illness.
Get the Flu Shot
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine has prevented thousands of hospitalizations. The fact is that this vaccine could actually save your life, as the flu is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year. Although the effectiveness may vary from year to year, doing what you can to protect yourself will help you avoid the flu.
With flu season in full swing, keep these tips in mind to stay healthy and protect your body from serious illness.