Protecting Yourself from Infection during the Flu Season

It's that time of year again. The trees have shed their leaves, an icy chill has returned to the air and the ground is once again covered in snow. With another devastating polar vortex expected to sweep the U.S., you're not exactly looking forward to the progression of winter. Five solid months of navigating ice-caked roads, shoveling heavy mounds of snow and bundling up for an arctic expedition whenever you leave the house is hardly your idea of a good time.

To make matters worse, flu season is once more in full swing. It seems like you fall victim to the flu every winter and subsequently infect your entire household. In addition to dealing with the immense pain, lethargy and constant vomiting caused by this sickness, you ultimately spend the better part of a month taking care of your flu-stricken spouse and children. Sure, you're not crazy about winter weather, but dealing with the flu is undeniably your least favorite part of the season. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can fend off the flu this winter and ensure that your nearest and dearest remain in good health all winter long.

Get a Flu Shot

While flu shots may not definitively guarantee that you won't contract the flu, they dramatically lower your risk of coming down with it. Within two weeks of receiving them, flu shots cause the development of flu-resistant antibodies in your system. These antibodies then guard your body against the flu viruses that researchers believe will be prevalent throughout the flu season. If you spend most of your day interacting with people, you should never neglect to get a flu shot or encourage your family to do the same.

Promote Hand Washing in Your Household

Unbeknownst to many flu sufferers, one of the most effective ways to avoid infection is to frequently wash your hands. Although the flu is sometimes spread through the air, you can substantially lower your risk for contracting it by washing your hands and encouraging your spouse and children to follow suit. Hand washing is particularly important before meals, as mealtimes are when your hands and mouth are in very close contact. In addition, if you have a penchant for biting your nails or wiping your mouth with your hands, make a point of avoiding these habits during the flu season. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you should be extra-vigilant about hand washing. The plethora of door handles, railings and commuter train or bus bars you touch each day are veritable hotbeds of harmful germs.

Take Immunity Boosters

If you fall victim to the flu every year, there's a good chance you suffer from low immunity. In some cases, basic multivitamins are enough to correct this issue, but if your immunity is particularly low, immunity boosting tablets may be just what the doctor ordered. Most immunity boosters can be purchased without a prescription, although it's generally recommended that you speak with your physician before adding immunity boosting tablets to your regular medication regiment. In addition to the flu, immunity boosters can prove effective at keeping you safe from a wide range of illnesses.

Every winter, millions of Americans contract the flu. Since this virus can last anywhere from several days to a full week, there's no way of knowing how badly it's going to affect you until you've come down with it. Luckily, by getting a flu shot, engaging in frequent hand washings and taking immunity boosting tablets, you can protect yourself from the worst the flu season has to offer.