4 Tips to Prepare for Flu Season

Written by LS Admin | Oct 29, 2020

Each year as the beauty of fall foliage surrounds us, the $64,000 question looms large: "How severe will this year's flu season be?"

According to CDC estimates, last year's flu season saw more than 39 million people sickened with the viral infection that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. While the severity of any flu season can be difficult to predict, to be sure, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will complicate the scenario for the 2020-21 flu season.

Infectious disease expert Lisa Maragakis suggests the "human behavior factor" may play a key role in the severity of this year's flu season. She notes that the changes in behavior wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and the closures/cancellations impacting school, work, travel, and public events, may help contain the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses, in addition to COVID-19.

While medical experts are hopeful these new norm behaviors will positively impact the spread of influenza, they are encouraging folks to be vigilant in their efforts to protect themselves from the flu.

• Get a flu shot

The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone six months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) with no preference expressed for any one vaccine over another. While many folks either never get around to receiving this critical vaccine or waiver on the necessity or effectiveness of it, the CDC is strongly encouraging that everyone over six months of age steps up to the plate this year. Make this preventative measure a family affair and urge friends and coworkers to get vaccinated as well.

• Practice healthy living habits

Healthy living habits can boost one's immune system, strengthening the body's ability to fight viral infections, whether it be the flu or the common cold. Make your body an inhospitable place to live for those nasty bugs.

Proven steps to boost the immune system include—

1. A diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, but light on processed and junk foods
2. Take a multivitamin
3. Get eight hours of sleep at night
4. Exercise regularly
5. Drink more water as hydration aids the body's mucous membranes (mouth, nose, and eyes) in the battle against invaders

• Clean common surfaces frequently

Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces outside the human body, especially on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as metal, plastic, and wood. Disinfecting those areas often touched by multiple people will lessen the spread of germs left behind by contaminated hands, coughing, or sneezing. A stash of disinfecting wipes in these high traffic areas will make frequent cleaning an easy task.

• Do your part to stop the spread of germs

If you are not well, stay home—from work, school, the store and certainly any social engagements. Even if the illness seems minor, resist the urge to power through. Not only will you potentially infect others, but you will be more susceptible to germs you may encounter. Have work from home arrangements in place before illness strikes, so it is available when you need it, allowing you to take the necessary time for you or your children to recover.

With vigilance to these steps and attention to your community's health concerns, you can be prepared for the inevitability of this year's flu season.

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