The season is here. Flu season. Are you ready for it? Make sure you take precautions so that you are prepared. While no one can prevent flus 100%, you can decrease the chance of getting sick dramatically if you understand some very basic things.
Originally by whiskeyandtears
Get your flu shot – The flu viruses are always changing and evolving, and the previous year’s flu shot do not do much for you this year. That’s why it’s a good idea to get your annual flu shot before the flu season kicks in. Your body will be ready for it and you’ll be a lot less likely to get sick.
Some people are not willing to get flu shots. I’m one of those people. I hate needles and I just don’t like the idea. Fortunately I’ve done well without them for years and if you are like me, read on for good habits and tips that will help decrease your chances of getting sick, whatever the season. To follow my footsteps, you first need to understand how the body works and how flu gets to us.
The Basics – In a nutshell, we all know germs and viruses are everywhere. With a normal immune system, when small amounts of airborne viruses enter your body, normally through the nasal area, the body will usually kill it quickly before it becomes too late.
However, when you are in the presence of someone who has the flu and you get sneezed on directly, you are exposed to many, many times the concentration of the virus and therefore your body tends to not have the ability to kill it quick enough, as the viruses will multiply too fast.
How to Avoid it – knowing that the flu virus normally come through the nasal area, it’s a good idea to breathe carefully, especially around public areas where infected people are around, and close to you.
Also keep your hands away from your face and even the eye area as germs and viruses can live on your hands for a good period of time and can get into your body easily through you nasal/eye area.
Wash your hands often, especially when you eat. That’s obvious, but cannot be emphasized enough!
Another thing i like to do at least once a day, is what I call a nasal flush. Since viruses and germs enter mainly through the nasal area and the fluids through the menbranes, flushing out those dirty sticky fluids seems like a good idea to me. I simply wash my hands and face, and then with my hand cupped i gather up enough water so I can lightly suck it up through my nose, then blow it back out. Suck the water in as far up as you can without getting it into your throat. This takes practice, but I find that it does clean up all the junk that resides in the mucous and also psychologically makes me feel cleaner and more protected.
In conclusion, be consciously aware that germs and viruses are everywhere, even outside of flue season. As you live with just a little bit of caution, I hope you’ll find that you can decrease your chances of getting sick in general! Have a good winter.
Tags: colds, flu season, health, sick