How To Get the Flu

The flu can make you very ill for over a week, and some strains such as the Swine Flu can actually be deadly. At the end of World War I, the Spanish flu killed more people than the war itself. While most cases of the flu today are not fatal, they can make you feel miserable, and make it difficult to do normal activities.

Most people feel too sick to go to work, often for more than a week, and it's not a good idea for them to go out anyway, otherwise they risk spreading the virus. Knowing how to prevent the flu means knowing how it is contracted and how you can avoid the risks.

The easiest way to avoid the flu is to get a flu shot annually. Typically, these are offered just before flu season. The elderly (aged 65 and up) should always get these, since the flu presents the greatest health risk for them.

Flu shots are also important for children aged 6-23 months, people with chronic heart and lung disease, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, anemia, cancer, kidney disease and HIV, healthcare workers and caregivers, and people traveling in high risk areas. However, you don't have to be any of the above get a flu shot, and increasingly, more people are getting them. There is no guarantee you will not get the flu even if you get a flu shot, but your risk of contracting it is greatly diminished if you do get one. This is the best way to prevent getting the flu.

The only other way to prevent getting the flu is to avoid germs. This means to avoid touching surfaces in public as much as possible and to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Also, if you know someone has the flu or they are exhibiting symptoms, try as best as possible to stay away from this person. Avoid traveling to areas where there is a flu outbreak. Also, avoid crowded areas indoors if possible.

The healthier you are, the stronger your immune system, so staying healthy is also important to fighting off the flu. This means maintaining a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet, and getting regular exercise, while avoiding smoking, recreational drug use and limiting alcohol use.

There is no surefire way to avoid getting the flu. But if you get your annual flu shot, exercise common sense when it comes to reducing exposure practicing hygiene and maintain good overall health, then there is a very good chance you will not get the flu.