Ashford Clinic Blog
6 Ways to Stay Healthy During Flu Season
Flu season has been particularly bad this winter, and it's impacting everyone - from the very young to the very old. While an ENT shouldn't be your first call for the flu (your Primary Care Physician or an Urgent Care should be more than capable of providing the care you need for the flu), we can still provide some really practical tips for staying healthy during the cold months.
- Get a Flu Shot - Despite the reportedly low rate of effectiveness this year, the flu shot can still be beneficial, even this late in the season.
- Wash Your Hands Regularly - Regular washing of hands, especially after being out in public, can help to prevent harmful germs and bacteria from entering your body.
- Regularly Disinfect Surfaces - This is particularly true for shared surfaces. Wiping down door knobs, tables, remotes, etc. can help to stop the spreading of germs.
- Avoid Touching Mouth, Nose, and Eyes - This is a big one. Avoiding this kind of contact with your face can help prevent infection.
- If you do get sick, get an Antiviral Prescription - Different from an antibiotic, these drugs can help to reduce the severity of your symptoms. They are not available over the counter and do require a prescription.
- Stay Home if You're Sick - Missing work is never ideal, but bringing your illness with you to work puts everyone you come in contact with at risk, especially if you are regularly around the very young or very old.
Learn more about the CDC's recommendations for dealing with the flu here.
