Staying healthy during flu season can be a whole mission. Whether you are at home, going to school or in a workplace, germs can be present. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each year. That equates to a lot of people–millions, in fact.

While boosting your immune system is important for staying healthy, there are also steps you can take to prevent getting any type of illness this season. In this article, the health experts at Assisting Hands in West Austin will give you five great ways to prevent getting sick this flu season, which should help you and everyone around you stay healthy. 

5 Tips To Stay Healthy During Flu Season

1. Avoiding crowds and unnecessary travel. The best way to avoid catching any diseases this flu season is to stay away from large crowds and not traveling when unnecessary. Large gatherings in poorly ventilated areas are high-risk for contracting any type of disease. But if you cannot avoid being in a large crowd or traveling, we highly recommend covering your mouth and nose by wearing a mask.
2. Try to not touch your face. Try your best to not touch your eyes, nose or mouth as much as possible. These areas of your face are your mucous membranes and have direct access to your bloodstream, which is where a virus could bypass the protective barriers of your skin and get you sick. Washing your hands will also help with preventing the spread of germs when you forget and accidentally touch your face. 
3. Keep your surroundings clean. The flu is mostly spread through droplets, and germs can live on surfaces for a couple of hours and up to a few days. It’s important to routinely clean and disinfect surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen, door knobs, and other commonly used items like your computer, tablet and cell phone.
4. Avoid close contact with those that are sick. It should go without saying, but avoiding being in close contact with other people that are sick is a must. The flu virus tends not to be in the air, but to settle on surfaces like handrails, doorknobs, and other commonly touched surfaces. If you must be around others that you think could be infected, like at school or work, be prepared with hand sanitizer and frequently wash your hands. 
5. Get a flu shot. Each year the flu viruses mutate and change, so it’s important to get immunized. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months get the flu shot, and it is especially important for those that are older and have a weakened immune system.  

Stay Healthy This Flu Season!

Here at Assisting Hands Home Care in West Austin, our priority is the health and wellness of our clients, seniors, caregivers, and community in general. As flu and colds abound, so does coronavirus, and it takes the participation of everyone to keep us all healthy and safe.

Need Help? Reach out to Assisting Hands West Austin

Being a caregiver can get tough–and we here at Assisting Hands Home Care in West Austin are here to help. If you need support or assistance with caring for a loved one, or for yourself, give us a call at (512) 999-7379, or use the chat box on our website to get in contact with us immediately.