Flu Prevention Techniques

Overview

The influenza virus can show up in many forms, from the swine flu (or H1N1) to the bird flu and seasonal flu. No matter what type is circulating, the flu can be very stressful and can lay you up for days, or even weeks. Just because the flu has hit your community, it does not mean that you automatically have to come down with it. There are several steps you can take to prevent yourself from getting the flu.

Step 1

Wash your hands. When you are trying to prevent the flu, you can't wash your hands too much. The Mayo Clinic reports that washing your hands often is the best way to avoid infections, including the flu. To wash your hands properly, scrub them aggressively for 15 to 20 seconds. Rinse well with hot water. Before turning off the water faucet, place a paper towel over the knob, as this will prevent you from picking up germs that are there from before the hand washing. This is especially important when using a public facility.

Step 2

Use hand-sanitizing gel. When you are out and about and cannot get near a water faucet to wash your hands, sanitizing gel is the next-best thing. You can buy small, travel size containers that fit in your purse, and some have clips on them that will allow them to strap to the outside of your purse or to a child's backpack.

Step 3

Do not touch and rub your eyes, mouth and nose. The Centers for Disease Control reports that germs can spread this way, and these are open access points for them to get into your body.

Step 4

Stay away from sick people. Unless you are a caregiver or have a child who is sick, the CDC recommends that you avoid all contact with those who are ill as much as possible. If you are sick yourself, stay home to prevent spreading the germs to others. This is especially important if you are running a fever. Once your fever is gone, wait another 24 hours before going out in public again.

Step 5

Get adequate sleep. Not getting a proper amount of sleep can wear the body down, which weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. An article in the September 4, 2008 issue of Science News reports that losing even a couple hours of sleep for one night can cause the immune system to weaken, triggering an inflammatory response that can eventually cause organ damage.

Step 6

Eat more fresh, natural foods. Just as proper sleep is important to the immune system, so is a healthy diet. Avoid processed foods such as simple carbohydrates and sugars (white breads, pastas, doughnuts) and opt for fresh fruits and vegetables that have antioxidant vitamins (berries, citrus fruit, eggplant, sweet potatoes).

Step 7

Take your vitamins. Vitamins help keep the immune system strong, and the immune system is key in fending off the flu and other viruses. Be especially conscious of taking extra vitamin D, especially if you live in a northern climate where there is not a great deal of sunshine during flu season. According to Dr. Mercola from the Natural Health Center in Illinois, vitamin D is shown to increase the production of antimicrobial peptides within the body, and these peptides destroy cellular walls of the flu virus as well as other viruses and bacteria. Start by taking 2000 mg of vitamin D, along with your multivitamin and a calcium supplement, which helps with vitamin D absorption.