Flu Prevention Tips To Help You and Your Family Stay Healthy

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness — and if you or a family member have experienced it, you've seen firsthand how miserable it can feel. The good news is there are several simple steps you can take to help prevent the seasonal flu and better protect your health.

Take a look at these flu prevention tips to reduce your chances of contracting this serious, albeit common, illness.

Flu Prevention Tips To Consider

Here's what you can do to help yourself stay healthy during flu season — not only protecting yourself but your family and the greater community, as well.

1. Get the Flu Vaccine*

The influenza (flu) vaccine — also called the flu shot — is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Talk to your doctor about the best time to get the flu vaccine and whether they recommend the shot or a nasal spray. The flu vaccine is usually available by late summer and best taken before flu season gets underway, given that it can take up to two weeks to build immunity.

Put simply, the influenza vaccine reduces your chances of getting the flu. But, notably, it has also been shown in studies to reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick, which can help reduce hospitalizations or other serious complications. It can also decrease the likelihood that you spread it to loved ones.

Various flu vaccines are approved for people in different age groups. Your doctor or Rite Aid pharmacist can help you learn which ones are best for you and your loved ones.

Do you need the flu shot every year? Yes. Each year, the vaccine is modified as needed to protect against the flu strains most likely to spread and cause illness during the upcoming flu season. Note that the flu vaccine does not and can not cause the flu.

To make an appointment, you can schedule online or stop by your local Rite Aid today.

2. Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine*

Should you get the flu, you're at a higher risk of developing pneumonia, which is any illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Pneumonia can be very serious and even life-threatening.

The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 years of age and adults 50 years or older. Vaccination is also recommended for certain individuals outside of this age range if they're at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

If you haven't already been vaccinated against pneumonia, ask your doctor or Rite Aid pharmacist which pneumonia vaccines are recommended for you before making an appointment.

3. Wash Your Hands

You knew we were going to say this, and that's because it works when it comes to flu prevention.

Washing your hands often with soap and water — especially before meals and after going to the bathroom — for at least 20 seconds will help protect you from germs and illnesses. If soap and warm water aren't available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

You can stash sanitizer in your car, bag, baby stroller and other common areas.

4. Avoid Touching Your Face

Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth especially when you haven't washed your hands and are in public spaces. Flu germs can linger on surfaces like doorknobs, handrails and shopping carts and can easily be transferred from the hands to your eyes, nose and mouth.

Just by being mindful of this simple habit, you can reduce your chances of spreading or contracting the flu.

5. Use Good Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette

Always cough or sneeze into an elbow whenever you're around others and a tissue isn't available. Wash your hands after blowing your nose or coughing into them to help reduce the spread of germs. Teach children these "best practices" to help them spread fewer germs to others.

If you think you're coming down with an illness, consider wearing a mask if you must go out in public to minimize the chance of spreading it to others.

6. Clean Surfaces

If someone in your house comes down with the flu, try to avoid close contact as much as possible. When you're their caregiver, make sure you wash hands frequently, put on a face mask if possible, and disinfect surfaces (including high-touch items like light switches and remotes) with cleaning supplies that have disinfecting ingredients approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, try to keep them out of common areas, like the kitchen and living room, to help reduce the spread of germs in your home.

7. Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Staying healthy and keeping your immune system strong will go a long way toward helping with flu prevention. Eat a wholesome, balanced diet that's packed with fruits, vegetables and lots of nutrients. Get regular exercise to help maintain overall health and keep your heart in good shape. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Find healthy ways to reduce stress, like relaxing hobbies, meditation, talking with friends or stretching. Drink lots of water to help all of your body's processes function optimally. These components add up to help build a healthy immune system and reduce the likelihood of contracting infections.

You may still catch the flu even if you follow these lifestyle tips — but, according to the Mayo Clinic, it's possible your illness may not last as long or feel quite so severe.

8. Stay Informed

Read and watch the news, and learn more about the latest flu statistics in your area. Consider talking to your employer to discuss their recommended protocol should you fall ill with the seasonal flu or learn what to do if someone in your home is sick.

And as always, speak with your healthcare provider or trusted local pharmacist to learn more about helping to prevent the spread of illness.

Doing Your Best to Stay Healthy

Staying proactive about your overall health and well-being can help lower the chances of getting the flu as well as complications from the illness. Get your annual flu vaccination, practice proper hygiene, follow healthy routines, eat a wholesome diet and maintain a clean environment as part of an effective flu prevention strategy.

By following these tips, you can sleep easy knowing you're taking the proper steps to improve your health while protecting those around you.

Clinically reviewed on Sept. 10, 2024.