Beat the Flu Bug
Beat the Flu Bug
Three Flu-Fighting Tips
Every year, Americans stock up on lemon tea, vitamin C, zinc and herbal remedies to brace for another long flu season. But what really works? Could protecting yourself—your friends, family and community—from influenza be as easy as taking three simple steps? Well, it definitely couldn't hurt.
1. Stop the Spread of Germs. Common-sense germ precautions are one of the most powerful steps you can take to stop the flu in its tracks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this means washing your hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. One of the most common mistakes people make is not washing their hands long enough. This is a good tip to teach your children as well.
Other germ precautions include, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoiding close contact with sick people and limiting contact with healthy people if you happen to fall ill yourself. In other words, stay home! It's often very difficult to miss work, but your colleagues will understand and will probably appreciate you even more by not bringing those pesky germs into the office.
2. Get a Flu Shot. Two-thirds of Americans plan to get the flu vaccine this year, but following through on this pledge is sometimes another story. To make it easy, try visiting a new, free service called www.ZocDoc.com. Here, you'll find a directory of local doctors in your area. Just plug in your zipcode, and voila! Plus, in select cities, you can book a doctors appointment online, with just a few clicks. Currently, ZocDoc is available in Phoenix, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. And with more than 5.5 million available appointments nationwide, there's no excuses.
Many local pharmacy's offer flu vaccines as well, with no appointment necessary, and often times no waiting. Your pharmacist is also a great resource for flu and cold information. Don't forget to ask about drug interactions if you're about to take over-the-counter flu remedies, while taking other medications.
3. Seek Help if You're Sick. If you do become sick, know when to see your doctor. Many colds and flu's will last one to two weeks, and most of us have experienced the usual symptoms. But, if you're still ailing beyond two weeks, and if you have a temperature that just won't break...check yourself in. Why wait?
Many people think of the flu as a simple nuisance, but it can be very serious—especially for young children, the elderly and anyone with a weak immune system. Every year, the flu is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, countless hours of lost work, and in serious cases, death. Don't be a victim, and don't be shy to ask for help. Better to be safe than sorry. Here's to hoping for a healthy, flu-free winter season!
Photo Courtesy, Getty Images
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