Flu outbreak has been reported from 7 states including California, Connecticut, Idaho, New York, Alaska and Wyoming. Some of the other states with reported cases of flu include Hawaii, Florida and Puerto Rico despite the fact that these states are relatively warmer.
The flu virus kills nearly 36,000 Americans every year, the very fact which makes it obvious to get a vaccination shot for every person, including those who are more susceptible to respiratory infections, at the earliest possible time.
The dictum, ‘Prevention is the best cure’, holds equally good for people to protect themselves by getting immunized at the earliest, suggest the experts.
With flu season already in progress, the experts suggest a few simple ways to help stay disease-free. The government, on its part, is making sure these flu vaccines are available in abundance with some doctors receiving their first shipment of vaccines as early as August.
"The vaccine is really important, and it's actually easier than ever because of the nasal, inhaled version of the vaccine," said Dr. Ken Haller, an associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University. So, choosing between the inhaled FluMist and the needle-injected vaccine is only a matter of individual choice for protecting yourself from the deadly virus flu.
"When the air outside gets colder, it gets a lot drier. It dries out the membranes of the nose," said Haller. It has been found that the chances of influenza virus spreading its wings are far greater in places with high humidity levels and excessive moisture. So, a humidifier can prove to be really helpful in keeping the nasal passages moist during such conditions.
Using a saline solution is a good and effective measure to keep nasal passages moist. "Since its just saltwater … you can do it every couple hours if you need to," said Haller.
Ensuring adequate intake of water is also step towards protecting against the flu, say the experts.
Exercise can help you avoid the flu, reveal experts to the worried residents. "Exercise can help boost the immune system
define," admits Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, a general internist in Atlanta. It helps in increasing the blood circulation and can help fight off many infections.
Although, you may not have the energy to exercise once you are down with flu, it is perfect if you are feeling up to it, says Dr. Lisa Bernstein, an assistant professor of medicine at Emory.
Getting adequate sleep is another way to avoid the flu virus. "Get plenty of rest, so if you do get sick, you can get over it more quickly," said Fryhofer.
Flu virus spreads easily through hand to hand contact. So avoid shaking hands to protect yourself from the virus, suggest experts. If you can not avoid shaking hands, just be mindful to clean your hands afterwards either by washing or using a gel.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as flu viruses easily get transmitted from one person to another through them and can make us infected.
Always use a fork to eat your food, especially during the flu season, says Fryhofer, as using your fingers while eating can put you at risk of acquiring the virus.
Smoking increases your chances of catching the flu. "If you've thought about quitting smoking, this is a really good time to do it," said Haller. The worse thing is that it does not only affect the smoker himself, but also those around him. So, it is best to quit smoking to ensure health and wellness of all.
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