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Flu season can be a stressful time for everyone, especially in our post-pandemic world, but we have some ways to minimize your chances of getting sick.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that typically occurs during the fall and winter months. It’s essential to take preventive measures to keep you and your family healthy this flu season, and preparing your home is one of the ways you can keep the virus from spreading.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing some no-brainers to prepare your home for the flu season. We’ll look at how changing air filters, tossing expired meds, loading up on sick day essentials, disinfecting your home, and prioritizing health with a healthy diet and supplements can support your immune system to fight off the flu virus.
Changing Air Filters
If you have a HEPA air purifier, check the filters! Air filters trap dust, pollen, and other harmful particles in the air. When it gets dirty, it can’t do its job properly, and those particles start circulating in the air in your home.
This could irritate your nose and eyes, trigger allergies, respiratory problems, and more. Changing your air filters regularly could improve air quality in your home and reduce exposure to harmful particles that could weaken your immune system.Toss Expired Meds
It’s essential to clear out your medicine cabinet of any expired or unused medications you might have. Keeping these medications around could increase the risk of accidentally taking the wrong medication or dosage.
These expired or unused meds could also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could further spread infections. By tossing these meds, you could reduce the risk of contamination, injury, and illness.
Load Up on Sick-Day Essentials
Having flu remedies on hand before the flu season starts could make all the difference if you or someone in your family does get sick.
Stock up on items such as cough and cold medicine, tissues, and clear soup broth. Remember to add essentials such as rehydration solutions, fever reducers, and a thermometer in case of a fever.
Disinfect Your Home
It’s important to disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home to stop the spread of the flu virus. The flu virus spreads when droplets come into contact with your hand and mouth.
Disinfect surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, television remotes, computer keyboards, and mobile phones.
Get Vaccinated
One of the most effective ways to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older and can significantly reduce the risk of getting sick. It's best to get vaccinated before the flu season starts, so you'll have time to build immunity.
Moreover, getting vaccinated protects not only yourself, but also the people around you, especially those who are at high risk for complications, such as pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and the elderly.
Prioritize Health Year-Round
The flu season is a reminder to prioritize our health, but keeping our immune system strong year-round is important. You can strengthen your immune system by taking care of your physical and mental health.
This includes eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, practicing good hygiene, and managing stress. Also, consider taking supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics, which may help support your immune system.
Conclusion
It's essential to prepare your home and prioritize your health during flu season. By changing air filters, tossing expired meds, loading up on sick day essentials, disinfecting your home, and prioritizing a healthy diet and supplements that support a healthy immune system, you could reduce the risk of spreading and catching the flu virus.
Remember, being proactive with your health is better than being reactive when the flu season hits, so start preparing your home today!