Avoiding The Flu
I’ll admit it when I’m on the subway and someone sneezes I cringe a little. Its flu season again. There’s a lot in the news about H1N1, but the regular seasonal flu (Influenza A or B) is still on the march.
One of the things on my to-do list for this week is to call my doctor’s office and go in to get the flu shot. I took a break from typing this post to actually make the call and the receptionist said they didn’t have any. She directed me to Walgreens or CVS. I’ll check it out and let you know how it went. I’ve never gotten the shot before but so many people got sick at work last year I feel like taking the extra precaution will be worth the risk.
I’m also going to try to avoid crowds as much as is reasonably possible. Flu, both H1N1 and seasonal flu spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people already infected and less commonly by touching something with flu viruses on it then touching eyes, mouth, or nose.
I’m also an allergy sufferer so I’m constantly rubbing my eyes. I’m going to have to be more conscious of it and get that under control.
Develop the habit of washing your hands as soon as you get home. I started doing it consistently after I noticed that although I washed my hands just before I left work everyday by the time I made it home on the subway my hands would be dirty. I could actually see dirt running off them when I washed them at home an hour later.
What practical preps can you put in place that may help you avoid catching the flu in the first place?
- Avoid sick people (yeah I know, but it had to be said)
- Wash hands often
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth (I’m working on this one)
- Get vaccinated
Here some links to you can check out for more information:
Ready New York Pandemic Flu http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/ready/flu_guide.shtml
US Dept of Health and Human Services
