According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the months of October and November are when influenza activity begins to increase. And although flu season doesn’t tend to peak until December through February, getting ahead of the flu and preparing yourself and your family to avoid it is half of the battle. Our dental office in Columbia compiled the top tips to help you prevent the flu this year.
Keep Things Clean & Sanitized
One of the easiest ways to come down with a bug is to touch something that was recently touched by another person who was loaded with germs. Some germs that can make us really sick can live for a long time on surfaces. To protect yourself and your family make sure you clean and sanitize often. Consider areas that are touched a lot like door knobs, toys, toilets, and faucets.
Wash Your Hands
This is the most common advice given by doctors and mothers alike. And with good reason. Washing your hands goes a long way in removing any germs we may have come in contact with throughout the day. Ideally you should use warm water and soap to clean in between each finger, all over the palms, and even under fingernails. If you won’t have access to a sink and soap, carry an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Don’t Touch Your Face
The CDC sites that a common way germs are transferred from one person to another is by first touching an infected surface then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. These body parts act as a direct route to the rest of your body, and if germs enter one of them, you’re almost guaranteed to get sick. Keep your hands away from your face.
Eat Well
Following a well balanced diet can keep your body performing optimally and in good germ fighting condition. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies and enough protein to keep you strong. In fact, research shows a diet with too little protein can lead to a weak immune system.
Drink Well
Along with eating well, drinking enough fluids, particularly water, keeps your body working the way it’s intended to. A well-hydrated body keeps white blood cells healthy and ready to fight off germs. Plus, it will make your dentist in Columbia happy, too.
The team at our Columbia dental office hope you and your loved ones avoid the flu this season, but if you happen to come down with it we encourage you to use sugar-free medications to keep your mouth protected.
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