How Can I Protect My Family Agains Tthe Flu 2018
It's more important than ever to take steps to reduce your risk for respiratory illnesses like the influenza, colds and COVID-19.
Every year, as cold and flu flavour gets underway, people look for ways to avert getting sick. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more crucial.
"More than ever, it's important that nosotros use all possible measures to preclude affliction that can impair our immune organization during this respiratory pandemic," urges Carolyn Kaloostian, Dr., MPH, a family medicine dr. at Keck Medicine of USC and clinical associate professor of family unit medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
These strategies can help protect you lot.
i. Go a flu shot.
Receiving the flu vaccine is key to preventing seasonal influenza. During the 2018-nineteen flu flavor, the flu vaccine prevented an estimated four.iv million flu cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The influenza vaccine is a rubber and effective preventive measure," Kaloostian says. "Everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated."
Although the flu shot doesn't protect confronting every type of flu virus, it'south still your best take a chance at not getting ill with the flu. And if you practice get the flu, at that place'due south evidence that the vaccine reduces the severity of it.
And while the influenza vaccine won't protect yous against COVID-nineteen, fewer flu hospitalizations can help gratuitous upward valuable medical resources for taking care of patients with the novel coronavirus.
2. Practice everyday preventive measures.
By now we're used to thoroughly washing our hands to prevent COVID-19. Handwashing also helps protect against colds and influenza. If yous can't get to a sink to launder your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing, physical distancing and face coverings have been recommended to limit the spread of the virus. This flu season, it's important to keep these measures," Kaloostian says.
While the CDC doesn't have specific guidance on wearing face masks for influenza prevention outside of health care settings, nosotros're wearing them anyhow to protect against COVID-19. Some enquiry suggests that they may assist reduce the spread of the flu.
In add-on to handwashing and wearing a face mask, it's besides of import to avoid shut contact with people who are sick, and to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The CDC too recommends keeping your home and part space make clean and disinfected, particularly loftier-touch surfaces like doorknobs, phones and keyboards.
3. Go your vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc are essential nutrients for immune part and for defending against viruses, according to Kaloostian.
Vitamin D, in particular, has some of the strongest evidence when it comes to flu and cold prevention.
"Vitamin D is an of import supplement to consider, especially since the majority of adults take depression levels of vitamin D, and it has been shown to protect against upper respiratory infections," Kaloostian says. "Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection."
Vitamin D can be difficult to get from diet lone unless foods are fortified with it. And although our bodies make vitamin D when we are exposed to sunlight, beingness outside without sunscreen isn't recommended. If you're considering taking a vitamin D supplement, be sure to speak to your doctor first.
While it doesn't forestall the flu or the common cold, vitamin C has been shown to lessen cold symptoms in people who regularly take vitamin C supplements. "However, vitamin C doesn't help in one case symptoms begin," Kaloostian adds.
Well-nigh people get enough vitamin C from their diet, but if you're a smoker, yous're at greater risk for depression levels of vitamin C.
"Studies testify that smokers need an additional 35 milligrams of vitamin C daily than people who don't fume," Kaloostian says.
Like vitamin C, zinc hasn't been linked to flu or cold prevention, but information technology is of import for your immune organisation in general, Kaloostian explains.
"Zinc is required to develop and activate lymphocytes (a blazon of white blood cell) to fight infection," she says. "Even mild degrees of zinc deficiency tin impair immune function. Vegetarians and people with chronic gastrointestinal illness, in particular, are at college risk for low zinc levels."
But as with any supplement regimen, talk to your doctor before taking zinc, considering it tin cause gastrointestinal symptoms, similar nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and tin interfere with some medications.
four. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Keeping your body strong and healthy from the inside out can besides help protect yous from illness.
"During these unprecedented, feet-provoking times, it'southward important to exercise all we can to strengthen and fortify our immune system," Kaloostian says. "This includes getting back to the basics of good for you routines for well-counterbalanced meals, sleep schedules and work-life residue."
She advises seeking out occupational therapists, wellness coaches or work-life specialists if yous're having difficulty in these areas.
5. Manage your stress.
Stress can also affect your health, then it's important to endeavor to keep it under control.
"Many people accept experienced immense changes in their work and family lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a very stressful situation," Kaloostian says.
Stress-reduction strategies, such every bit mindfulness, meditation, trip the light fantastic toe, pet therapy or music therapy, can exist learned and incorporated into the busiest of schedules, she explains.
"There is help, and I encourage you lot to discuss specific issues with your primary care provider or employer so you can access resource as shortly as possible."
Topics
cold
Dr. Carolyn Kaloostian
influenza
flu shot
respiratory illnesses
vitamins and minerals
Source: https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/5-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-the-flu-and-other-respiratory-illnesses/
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