The winter months are here, which means flu season is upon us. Keeping yourself protected may not be a major priority in your busy life. Here are a few simple ways to protect you not just from the flu but from getting any sort of sickness this winter.
- Take the time to get a flu vaccine. Yearly flu vaccines are the first and most important step you can take in protecting yourself against the flu viruses. Flu vaccines protect against the three or four most common flu viruses. Getting the flu virus is especially important for people that are at high risk for getting the flu, such as:
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung diseases
- People 65 years and older
- Health care workers that are more likely to care for flu victims and come into contact with the flu virus
- Know the symptoms. If you have symptoms that persist or get worse, contact your healthcare provider. Some symptoms of the flu are:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Body and muscle aches
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people and if you are sick stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often. Keeping your hands clean can reduce the chance of you getting the flu from contact with sick persons.
- Disinfect any surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
- Increase your water intake to help flush your system of any sickness you may be coming down with.
- Vitamin D, which you can get most easily from the sun, can be extremely useful in keeping you healthy during the flu season.
- If you do happen to get the flu, taking flu antiviral drugs if you doctor prescribes them, can treat your illness and get you back to your normal routines sooner.
Contact ISU Wissink Insurance in Culver City for all your California health insurance needs. Let them keep you and your loved ones covered as the flu season starts. Get insured today!