Key takeaways
- Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent the flu, and it’s recommended for everyone over 6 months old.
- Simple hygiene practices, like frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, significantly reduce the spread of flu germs in your home.
- Regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, along with promoting healthy habits, strengthens your family’s defenses against the flu.
It happens all the time: One family member gets the flu, and before you know it, everyone else has it too. Flu germs can spread even before symptoms appear, and you can pass the infection to others up to a week after first becoming sick. However, by practicing a few simple rules at home, you can help keep your family healthy and prevent the flu from spreading.
Health experts say getting vaccinated is the single most important step you can take to prevent the flu. There are now four main types of seasonal flu vaccine. The
The
- Standard flu shot: This is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
- Intradermal flu shot: The intradermal flu shot is administered into the skin, rather than the muscle. It uses a smaller needle and less antigen. The
FDA recommends it for adults between the ages of 18 and 64. - High dose flu shot: Our immune system responses weaken with age. This vaccine may help improve the immune response and reduce the occurrence of flu. A large-scale clinical trial of 31,000 older adults reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed approximately 25% fewer cases of the flu in those who received the high dose flu shot compared to those who received the standard flu shot.
Are there any side effects from the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine in any form does not cause the flu virus. However, some people may experience mild symptoms after receiving the flu shot, such as:
- fever
- headache
- chills
- soreness at the injection site
These symptoms are usually mild and go away
It’s best to schedule your family’s vaccinations in the fall before the start of flu season, preferably in
Flu germs are believed to spread through droplets from the mouth and nose. Therefore, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Make sure to throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands straight away. If there’s no tissue handy, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
It can be tough to get kids to practice these habits as well. The Boston Children’s Museum recommends a cute way to turn this into a game for kids: Turn a sock into a “Germ Eating Monster” by cutting off the rounded toe part of the sock and decorating the tube that’s left. Slide the decorated tube onto their arm and have them “feed” the germ-loving monster by coughing into its face.
Flu germs can live for 2 to 8 hours on hard surfaces, which is why it’s so easy to pick up flu germs without knowing it. You can contract the infection if you touch an infected doorknob or light switch and then rub your eyes or bite your nails. Learning to keep your hands away from your face can be tough, especially for children. Remind them often, as well as yourself.
All handwashing is not equal — for it to be effective, ensure you and your family follow these steps:
- Run warm water over your hands.
- Add soap.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse and dry.
You can stock up on alcohol-based hand sanitizers for areas where sinks are unavailable or when you’re out and about. Store them out of the reach of young children and ensure children have adult supervision when using them. Additionally, ensure your hand sanitizers are at least
You’ll need to remind kids to wash up:
- each time they use the bathroom
- before they eat
- after they come home from school or a play date
You can print out handwashing reminders to put up by your sinks as visual reminders for children (and forgetful adults). It can also help to set up a hand sanitizer station by your door, as a first line of defense against outside germs.
If someone in your family does get the flu, take these steps to prevent the infection from spreading:
- Keep the sick person at home.
- Limit close contact between the sick person and other family members as much as you can while they’re ill. In general, this is up to a week after they show symptoms.
- Change sleeping arrangements, if possible.
You also need to avoid sharing the following items from the sick person:
- washcloths
- towels
- dishes
- toys
- utensils
Flu germs and viruses love to lurk on items you touch every day. Here are some hot spots for germs:
- kitchen sponges
- dishcloths
- cutting boards
- home desks
- floors
- sinks
- toilets
Clean and disinfect these hot spots regularly. You can microwave your kitchen sponge for 1 minute on a high setting to zap germs. Better yet, throw it out.
If someone in your household has the flu, take special care when washing the items they have used. Wash dishes and silverware thoroughly by hand or in the dishwasher. You don’t have to do a sick person’s laundry separately, but try to avoid scooping up an armload of items and holding them close before washing them. Use laundry soap and dry on a hot setting, and always wash your hands immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Don’t forget the power of a healthy lifestyle to fight off sickness. The following tips can go a long way in keeping your immune system healthy and your family well this flu season.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Eat well, with lots of vegetables and fruits.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Exercise regularly.
- Manage your stress.
Vaccination is the single most important step you can take to help prevent flu from spreading. Healthy personal hygiene habits and frequent housecleaning also go a long way to help keep the flu away. If someone in your household does get the flu, keep the person at home, thoroughly clean and disinfect your home, and limit close contact with that person whenever possible.