by Saurabh Pal

Created on: October 10, 2010   Last Updated: October 11, 2010

The time of each season change is the time when most people remain vulnerable to flu and other virus infections. It is usually because people tend to be caught off-guard at these times and tend to go down with cold or fever. In most cases the symptoms are fever, runny nose, coughing or even sneezing and it is the virus that causes this.

There are several things that people can do to prevent flu each year. An old adage says ‘Precaution is better than cure’. It is always better to take preventive measures particularly because there may be children and elder people around the house who are more susceptible to flu. Most of these things are quite basic and draws from the elementary hygiene things that we were taught in early school. Let us look at these things one by one –

An annual ritual is the flu shot that happens during the fall season each year. As we all know there is no medicine for virus although flu shots tend to be quite effective. A lot of people contend that flu shots are not fool proof. It is quite true that the flu vaccine administered each year is actually based on the likelihood of the viruses being active. In most cases it turns out that there are new viruses that get people down but at least you are protected from the known ones.

Drink lots of fluids as the body tends to be healthy when there is lot of intake of fluids. Also, remember to take plenty of rest and sleep as body remains exposed when it has not had enough rest or sleep.

Another basic step is to wash hands properly and with soap before eating or after sneezing or cleaning a flowing nose. This prevents spread of germs from one person to another and helps to maintain a germ-free atmosphere.

Another important step is to avoid crowded public places where chances of infection remain high. Crowded shopping malls, community events, parties etc. are great carriers of flu and one should be wary of going to such places.

Avoid touching infected people at office or at places in your day to day interactions who have a runny nose, sneezy conditions or flu like symptoms. If you are down with flu conditions then remain at home and also keep children at an arms distance. It is easier said than done as children tend to stick around their parents.

If family members are down with flu then ensure that they drink lots of fluids and healthy foods. It is also useful if they can drink hot fluids like soup or water. This provides tremendous relief and also reduces the risk of spreading infection.

At the end of the day, it is true that it is very difficult to keep flu away. Inspite of the flu shots and all the precautions that you take, there is every chance that you will be brought down by flu in this season. But then, precaution is always better than cure.

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