Anyone can catch the flu, no matter the season. But once winter sets in, temperatures drop, and the risk of getting sick grows. The good news is you can take simple steps to lower that risk and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Use these flu prevention tips before and during flu season to stay healthy and avoid needing to take time off your daily routine to recover.
What Is the Flu? The Basics
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral respiratory illness that spreads through droplets released through the mouth and nose when people cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can also land on nearby surfaces, where the virus can survive for several hours.
Touching infected surfaces before touching your mouth, nose, or eyes may cause the virus to enter your body. This can lead to an infection and cause you to develop the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
While anyone can get the flu, most people can manage flu symptoms at home and recover within a week or two. However, some groups are more likely to experience more severe symptoms than others. If you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, flu prevention measures are necessary to avoid complications.
Understanding Flu Season
The flu commonly affects millions of people in the United States every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 20% of Americans are likely to catch the flu. However, for the last 40 years, records show that flu cases tend to go up from December through March. This coincides with the winter season for several reasons:
- Drier Air Conditions: Viruses can survive better in cold and dry conditions.
- Reduced Humidity: This can dry out the mucous membranes in the nose, making it easier for viruses to enter.
- Indoor Gatherings: More people spend time indoors and in large gatherings, increasing the chances of spreading the flu.
- Immune Response: The cold weather can impact the immune system, making people more susceptible to viral infections.
Because of Nebraska’s weather, it’s possible to see an uptick of flu cases as early as October and up to early spring. Understanding flu season tips and when and how the virus spreads helps you prepare and keep your family healthy all season long.
The Most Effective Prevention: Vaccination
The flu shot remains your best defense against serious illness each flu season. Getting your annual flu shot in Lincoln, NE, reduces your risk of infection and helps protect vulnerable members of the community. It’s recommended for everyone six months and older.
The vaccine is updated each year to target the most common circulating strains. Although vaccines don’t prevent you from getting the flu, those who get the vaccine are less likely to develop severe symptoms. This makes it highly beneficial if you are or live with older adults, young children, and people with chronic conditions.
Daily Habits To Boost Your Immune System
Your immune system is your body’s natural defense against illness. This is why it’s important to boost your immune system through consistent wellness habits, such as:
- Eating Nutrient-Rich Foods: Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Foods rich in Vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants can boost immunity and help your body fight infection.
- Getting Regular Exercise: Moderate activity like walking or yoga can help strengthen your immune system.
- Getting Enough Sleep: The average person needs seven to nine hours of sleep every night. This is when your body repairs and strengthens itself.
- Managing Stress: Chronic stress can weaken your immune response. Avoid overworking yourself and practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, stretching, or short breaks during the day.
- Staying Hydrated: Water helps flush out toxins and keeps your body functioning at its best.
Hygiene and Environmental Measures
Flu prevention isn’t just about taking steps to strengthen your body. You should also be careful about your surroundings, especially in indoor places like work or school, where you’re exposed to others who might unknowingly spread the virus.
These good hygiene measures can lower your chances of infection:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water with proper washing techniques for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizer or alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.
At home, these measures can help prevent the spread of sickness:
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and keyboards.
- Improve indoor air circulation and consider using a humidifier to reduce virus survival.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick when possible.
Recognizing When To Stay Home or Seek Care
Sometimes, the best way to protect others is to stay home. People are most contagious and more likely to spread the virus within the first three days of their illness. If you’re experiencing common flu symptoms, rest and isolate yourself as much as possible.
Most healthy people will experience typical symptoms and can recover within a week or two without medical intervention. However, you should seek medical attention if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- High fever (102.2°F or 39.0°C and up) lasting more than three days
- Severe fatigue or confusion
- Worsening symptoms after initial improvement
At Urgent Care Centers, providers can test for flu, recommend treatment options, and guide you through managing symptoms safely at home. They can also rule out other illnesses like strep throat, pneumonia, or COVID-19.
If your symptoms suddenly worsen and you experience trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or bluish lips, skip urgent care and go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.
What To Do If You Get Sick
Even with your best efforts, you might still catch the flu. Responding quickly can help you minimize the discomfort, reduce the risk of spread, and start recovery as soon as possible. If you’re sick, you should:
- Rest as much as possible — your body needs energy to fight the virus.
- Stay hydrated with water, herbal tea, and clear broths.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow to prevent spreading the virus in closed spaces.
- Use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and aches.
- Avoid exercise — working out with the flu can be dangerous and delay healing.
- Seek urgent care if symptoms worsen or you’re in a high-risk group.
Special Considerations
Most people don’t need to seek medical attention if they have flu symptoms. However, certain groups need extra protection during flu season and should seek urgent care:
- Older Adults: Seniors aged 65 and above are at higher risk for pneumonia and hospitalization.
- Young Children: Children under five years have more vulnerable immune systems.
- Pregnant Women: Flu complications can affect both mother and baby.
- Immunocompromised Individuals: Those with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and weakened immune systems have an increased risk of complications.
If you belong to any of these groups, it’s even more important to get vaccinated early, practice preventive habits, and seek care quickly when symptoms appear.
Practical “Survival Tips” Checklist
Use this checklist to help you stay healthy during flu season:
- Get your annual flu shot in Lincoln, NE.
- Wash your hands regularly and use sanitizer on the go.
- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
- Prioritize sleep and manage stress.
- Keep your distance from sick individuals.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
- Stay home if you’re sick to protect others.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the flu different from a cold?
Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and include fever, body aches, and extreme fatigue. Colds tend to come on gradually with milder symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat.
However, flu can have similar symptoms to other illnesses, such as COVID-19 or pneumonia. These have different treatments, so if you find that common flu remedies aren’t working, we recommend going to urgent care to get diagnosed.
Can the flu be prevented?
Yes. Aside from getting your annual flu shot in Lincoln, NE, healthy habits and good hygiene practices can help with flu prevention.
When should I visit urgent care for flu symptoms?
Visit urgent care if you have a fever lasting more than three days, severe physical symptoms, or are at higher risk of complications.
What treatments can urgent care provide for the flu?
Urgent care can test for the flu, prescribe antiviral medications (when appropriate), recommend safe symptom relief, and help prevent complications.
What if my symptoms don’t improve after a week?
If your flu symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days or suddenly worsen after getting better, it’s time to seek medical evaluation. Complications such as pneumonia or secondary infections may need urgent treatment.
Protect Your Health in Every Season
Flu season doesn’t have to mean weeks of illness and missed responsibilities. By following these flu season tips, practicing good hygiene, and focusing on habits that boost immunity, you can reduce your risk and recover faster if you get sick.
In case of a flu, Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln is here for you and your family. We accommodate walk-in visits and provide testing and treatment when you need help fast.
If you’re feeling unwell or want expert advice about flu prevention, contact us today to protect your health during flu season or any time of the year.