Prevent the Flu From Flooring You This Season

When the colder weather begins to rear its ugly head, so, typically, do the common ailments associated with the dropping temperatures. For many, the notion of winter as the holiday season has been replaced and instead become the cold and flu season.

And that's not just perception, it's reality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized from flu complications each year. Of those, 10 percent are children younger than 5.

For many people, the flu shot has helped make winter far more enjoyable. However, many more people either cannot get a flu shot because of allergies or simply forgot to get one. For those who weren't able to get a flu shot this season, the following prevention-focused tips could be the key to avoiding the flu.

* Wash your hands with soap and hot water. Perhaps the best preventative measure you can take on a daily basis is to regularly wash your hands with soap and hot water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Germs can easily spread from someone else's hands to yours, and you never know if a coworker you've shaken hands with has the flu virus or germs that could make you susceptible.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs on your hands can easily spread to your eyes, nose or mouth when you frequently touch these parts of your body. Avoid doing so at all times, even if you have thoroughly cleansed your hands.

* Routinely clean any shared surfaces. Viral germs can live on the surfaces of counter tops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, and telephones for up to an hour. To combat the spread of these germs, routinely clean surfaces that are shared with others, and use antibacterial soaps and cleaners that prevent the spread of germs.

* Avoid those who currently have the flu. The flu is easily spread from one person to another, and the viral germs cane be air borne. Whenever you're exposed to a person with the flu, be sure to wash your hands frequently and do your best to minimize your exposure to them.

* Parents, teach your kids. For parents, the chances of catching the flu are often heightened because it's hard to know who your children are coming into contact with at school every day. Because schools have so many children, it's almost impossible for children to avoid being exposed to the flu virus at one point or another. To decrease the likelihood of getting the flu through your children or their classmates, teach the kids the same flu prevention tips as well. Tell them to be sure to wash their hands regularly, and avoid share food or beverages with their friends as well.

* Eat healthy and get your sleep. A poor diet and a lack of sleep, whether together or simply on their own, can weaken the immune system. A weaker immune system makes us more susceptible to the flu, as well as other ailments. Be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet, and make sure you make time to get the proper amount of rest.

To learn more about flu prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov. HM091759