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Avoiding The Flu
If you are sick and
tired of getting the flu or a really bad cold each
year, take heart and follow some practical advice to
try to avoid being felled by germs this season.
Flu shots should be your first line of defense,
especially if you're at high risk. Vaccines are
recommended for young children, pregnant women,
seniors and those with chronic medical conditions.
However, remember that your immune system takes a
few weeks to develop flu-fighting capability.
Here are some other common sense preventative
measures from Dr. Jeff Robertson, Chief Medical
Officer for Regence, the largest not-for-profit
health insurance carrier in the northwest:
Get enough rest, exercise and eat right. Eat a
balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Good nutrition, including foods rich in
vitamins A, C and E, helps support a healthy immune
system. Examples of such foods rich include citrus
fruits, green vegetables, nuts, carrots and
tomatoes. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids
Keep your distance from people displaying symptoms
like sneezing and coughing, Robertson stresses.
Wash hands often. If no sink is available, use
alcohol-based hand wipes or sanitizing gel.
"Keep sanitizing gel or alcohol-based hand-wipes in
your car, kids' backpacks, purse or brief case,"
Robertson says. He also points out that some
hand-wipes are not alcohol-based and won't be as
effective, so read labels carefully.
(SPM Wire)
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