How to Avoid Getting the Flu

Anyone who has ever had the flu knows what a miserable experience it is. For most people, a bout with the flu will likely mean at least a few days in bed with a fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Other common symptoms include coughing, a stuffy nose, and nausea.

The majority of people who contract the flu will fully recover within a couple of weeks, but some will develop serious complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Although medical advances have led to antiviral drugs that can ease flu symptoms and speed up recovery, the best approach to the flu is to avoid getting it in the first place.

The No. 1 way to prevent jousting with the flu is to get your annual flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every year, researchers identify the influenza viruses that will be most common and develop a vaccine to combat them. Flu vaccines work by inducing your body to produce antibodies that provide protection against infection with the flu virus.

Additional Flu Prevention Tips

Healthy habits can help you avoid getting the flu as well as spreading contagious diseases to others. Some of these habits include:

Keeping Your Distance

It’s a good idea to stand or sit a few feet away from other people. This will reduce the chance that you’ll be exposed to the flu virus when a flu sufferer coughs or sneezes.

Frequent Handwashing

Washing your hands correctly as often as possible is a great way to avoid getting many infectious diseases, including the flu. It’s important to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to include not only your palms and the backs of your hands but also between your fingers and under your fingernails. After rinsing, be sure to dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer. If it’s not possible to wash with soap and water, applying a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be a good substitute.

Avoid Touching Your Face

If someone who has the flu sneezes or coughs, the virus may be carried through the air and land on a surface, where it can survive for a few hours or even two or three days. When you touch a contaminated surface and then rub your eyes or your nose or chew your nails, you’ll be providing an opportunity for the flu to invade your body, so it’s best to try to keep your hands away from your face at all times.

Springfield Urgent Care Is Ready for Flu Season

The caring and highly skilled medical professionals at Springfield Urgent Care are dedicated to making health care accessible and affordable for people throughout the Clarkston, Michigan, area. We offer a wide variety of flu-related services, including:

• Flu shots to help you avoid getting sick from the influenza virus
• In-person consultations with a highly trained medical professional to discuss your symptoms if you think you’ve contracted the flu
• Testing to determine whether your symptoms are caused by the flu
• Flu treatment that can help you feel better faster

We accept walk-in patients of all ages from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, including weekends. Our wait times are short, and our services cost less than the emergency room. Plus, we accept many insurance plans, making our urgent care clinics in Clarkston and Highland a terrific alternative to the ER for patients experiencing the flu or other non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

For more information about our flu treatments and other services, contact Springfield Urgent Care today.