Nobody wants to spend the holidays sick in bed, so it’s important to take some precautions and understand how to avoid the flu.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for merriment, family and friends, travel and plenty of food and drink to go around. Unfortunately, one other thing that tends to spread during the holidays is germs as flu activity increases during winter months.
In fact, flu season can begin as early as October and last until April or May, says Joseph Casper III, MD, a family medicine provider in our Cincinnati market.
These tips will help you stay flu-free during the holidays and months to come. However, if you feel symptoms of the flu beginning, make an appointment with your primary care provider.
How the flu spreads
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses can also live on the surfaces we touch, such as handrails, doorknobs and light switches. Whether it’s from having guests over, attending parties or braving the shopping madness, we’re often exposed to more people during the holidays.
This means more people touching surfaces and more exposure to germs. And flu viruses can last on those surfaces for longer than people often realize.
“The flu virus lasts on plastic and steel surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, wood surfaces for 24 hours and tissues or towels for about 12 hours,” Dr. Casper explains.
During the holiday season, this can happen more often, as we may snuggle up in the living room with friends and family or pile onto a fully booked airplane. But did you know you don’t have to come into direct contact with someone who has the flu?
The flu can spread through airborne droplets when we breathe, cough or sneeze. These droplets pass easily when we’re spending time close to others. If you find yourself in a congested public space, consider covering your nose or mouth by wearing a mask. Masks reduce the spread of those respiratory droplets, providing you with some defense against the flu.
It’s possible to be infected with the flu virus up to four days before noticing symptoms. This means that people who don’t know they have the flu could be infecting you. While practicing healthy hygiene is important year-round, take extra precautions this time of year.
Tips on how to avoid the flu
When you have the flu, you may find yourself hugging a box of tissues — weak, fatigued and unable to taste. That’s no way to enjoy the season’s festivities. Use these tips on how to avoid the flu during the holidays:
Get vaccinated
The single most effective way to prevent the flu is by getting an annual flu vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and severe illness significantly.
- Why every year? The flu virus evolves rapidly, and vaccines are updated annually to match the most prevalent strains. Dr. Casper emphasizes this, adding that it takes about two weeks for the antibodies to form, making it important to get vaccinated at least that long before travel or holiday parties.
- Who should get it? Everyone 6 months and older, especially those at high risk, such as young children, older adults, pregnant individuals and people with chronic health conditions.
“I encourage everyone who can get vaccinated to do so, but there are some that are at an increased risk, including those over 65, younger than 2, and people with asthma, high body mass index (BMI), chronic conditions or are nursing home or long-term care,” Dr. Casper adds.
Practice good hygiene
Flu viruses spread primarily through droplets when infected individuals cough, sneeze or talk. Reduce your exposure by following these hygiene practices:
- Wash your hands frequently: Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can’t use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to kill the flu virus.
- Hands off your face: Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, where flu viruses can enter the body.
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow to stop the spread of germs through droplets.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
A strong immune system can help your body fight off infections more effectively.
- Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.
- Stay active: Regular moderate exercise boosts immune function.
- Get adequate sleep: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to allow your body to recover and stay resilient.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress can weaken your immune system. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga.
“It’s important to stay hydrated and limit sugars and alcohol, especially when you’re feeling under the weather,” Dr. Casper says.
Avoid close contact with sick individuals
- Social distancing: During flu season, avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you’re ill, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Disinfect surfaces: Clean and disinfect commonly touched objects, such as doorknobs, light switches and mobile devices, to eliminate potential flu viruses.
Consider antiviral medications (when necessary)
If you’re exposed to the flu or develop symptoms, antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of the illness. Consult your primary care provider or an urgent care location promptly for guidance. They will likely perform a flu test to confirm whether you have the flu or a different illness with similar symptoms.
“You can have the flu for three to four days without symptoms, so be sure to get swabbed as soon as you notice any so that you can start medication,” Dr. Casper says. “The opportune time to start medications is within 48 hours of symptoms.”
How we can help
Following these strategies on how to avoid the flu can help not only you stay well this holiday season but also your friends, family and other people who may be more vulnerable to getting very sick should they contract the flu.
If you do show symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss whether you can take an antiviral medication. If you need more immediate assistance, visit an urgent care near you to be seen.
Learn more about the flu, flu vaccines and the primary care services we offer at Mercy Health.
