Healthy Habits to Prevent the Flu This Winter

Staying Healthy During Flu Season

With cold and flu season in full swing, understanding which healthy habits you can implement to prevent the spread of viruses and germs is essential to staying healthy. The following tips can help you to protect yourself from the flu and prevent the spread of germs.

Healthy Habits to Prevent the Flu

Get Vaccinated

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting the influenza vaccination is the single best way to decrease your risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even flu-related deaths.

Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands often will help to prevent the spread of germs. When soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Exercise

Exercising helps to boost your immune system, helping to prevent you from getting sick and even helping to speed up your recovery process from illness. According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended that adults get about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

Eat Healthily

Maintaining a diet rich in certain nutrients can help to boost your immune system. Introducing the following foods into your diet can help you to fight off the flu this winter:

• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Yogurt
• Red bell peppers
• Leafy greens like spinach and kale
• Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit
• Green tea
• Almonds
• Sunflower seeds

Preventing Others from Getting Sick

Stay Home When You’re Sick

If it’s possible, you should try to stay home from work and school when you feel sick to help prevent the spread of illness to others. If you have a fever, it is recommended that you stay home until you’ve gone 24 hours without a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Cover Your Nose and Mouth

Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing helps to prevent the spread of germs and getting others sick. The flu and other respiratory illnesses can be spread from coughing and sneezing as well as unclean hands.

Primary Care in Ridgecrest, California

At Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, our team of highly trained and experienced family physicians is dedicated to providing services to patients of all ages in Ridgecrest and surrounding areas. To learn more about our primary care services or schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at (760) 446-3551 (Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM).