Tips for Staying Well in Flu Season

1. Talk to your doctor.
Get professional advice if you are at risk for complications from flu.

2. Wash your hands frequently.
The majority of flu is transmitted hand-to-hand or skin-to-skin. During flu season, you should avoid rubbing your eyes or nose, and children—especially those in day care and school—should be encouraged to keep their hands out of their mouths. Most importantly, you should wash your hands thoroughly several times a day, especially before meals.

3. Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E.
Foods containing these vitamins are believed to be helpful in supporting the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin E include sunflower and corn oil, sunflower seeds and nuts such as almonds and peanuts. You can get your daily vitamin C from foods like orange juice, citrus fruits, broccoli and green peppers. And make an effort to reduce your intake of concentrated sugar (e.g., soda, candy) because excessive sugar impairs the immune response.

4. Get a good night’s sleep.
Lack of sleep may profoundly inhibit your immune system. Get a full night’s sleep to keep your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. This is especially relevant to teenagers.

5. Stay hydrated.
Increasing your water intake will help you stay healthy. When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by fever, loosens mucus, keeps your throat moist and lessens the chance of you coming down with flu. Warm liquids are preferable, and there is some evidence that inhaling steam early in the course of a cold or flu may reduce the spread of viruses in your upper respiratory tract.