Try Alternatives to Counting Sheep, Protect Against Mosquito, Tick & Flea Bites, Steps to Get Ahead of the Spring Allergy Season, 10 Tips to Prevent the Back-to-School Epidemic, Less Strenuous Positions for Sexual Intercourse, Stay Out of Food Allergy Trouble this Holiday Season, Safe Exercise for Patients with Heart Disease, Living with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), Living with Pediatric Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD). He received his D.O. I've also read that nightcaps disrupt REM sleep, which is the most restorative part of sleep.

Nail biting can be especially conducive to contracting the flu. 11 2009 .

Reasonably effective ways to reduce the transmission of influenza include good personal health and hygiene habits such as: not touching your eyes, nose or mouth; frequent hand washing (with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand rubs); covering coughs and sneezes; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home yourself if you are sick.
Everyone aged 6 months and older, without contraindications, is recommended to get an annual flu vaccine by the end of October.

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Factors that may increase your risk of developing the flu or its complications include: Age.

Eat Healthy and balanced meals to strengthen your immune system. The cold water causes your body to interpret the temperature shift as an attack of sorts, resulting in an increased number of white blood cells and other internal changes related to a more efficient immune system. The best approach to the flu is to avoid getting sick in the first place. Our specialty care clinics for adults and children are open and ready to serve you. Indulge your inner introvert. Viruses and other germs can hide out beneath your nails even after you wash your hands. To make an appointment, call 303.398.1355 or make an appointment online. During the day, I might place it on a counter or use it in between opening doors, pushing elevator buttons or shaking hands with patients or colleagues. "When I'm on trips, I don't drink alcohol. There are several factors that influence the risk of being infected: Level of immunity against a particular strain of influenza, Overall health of the person's immune system, Overall nutritional and general health status, Nutrition has recently been singled out as the most important factor in resistance to influenza infection. Try all sorts of unsweetened teas, particularly green and black tea due to their antioxidant properties, if you want a flavored drink. Cover coughs and sneezes.

Try to choose vegetables and fruits in an array of colors. How is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed at National Jewish Health? People who have weak immune systems, such as the elderly, sick people, or young children, can therefore be quickly overwhelmed by strong strains of the virus. from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012.

Avoid large crowds. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu.

Smoking also destroys the cilia inside your noses. Influenza, more commonly known as “the flu,” is a viral infection that mainly affects the respiratory tract.

RELATED: I Sleep Well, Eat Healthy, and Exercise. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and has over 5 years of emergency medicine experience. How is Drug Allergy Different Than Drug Intolerance? EssaysForStudent.com. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot. "—Murray Grossan, MD, ear, nose and throat specialist at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, in Los AngelesRELATED: 20 Over-the-Counter Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesn't, "Research shows that diets that are too low in protein can deplete the immune system. Avoid close contact with other people until you feel well enough to get back to your usual day-to-day activities. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.

Each year in Canada, the flu causes an estimated: Some people are at a higher risk of flu-related complications.