04 November 2020
Flu season is upon us and it’s more important than ever to try and keep those flu germs away. There are things you can do to reduce your risk – very similar to the steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting Covid-19 too.
If you are entitled to a free flu vaccination on the NHS, you should ensure that you get it. While demand has been high this year and stock in some areas has run low, keep trying. There are new deliveries of the vaccine happening all the time.[1]
If you aren’t sure if you’re entitled to a free flu vaccination, please check the NHS website for the full list.
It’s also possible to get the flu vaccination privately, although there is a high demand and you may need to wait a little while for appointments to become available.
The same hygiene rules for preventing Covid-19 also apply to the flu too. Regularly hand washing can help prevent you transferring any virus particles from the surface you touch to your face. For good hand hygiene you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you’re out and about and can’t wash your hands then an alcohol-based hand sanitiser is a good alternative.
Make sure you wash your hands before touching your face. You should also make sure they’re clean before you put your face mask on or take it off, and wash them once you’ve safely disposed of your mask (or put it in the washing machine to clean if it’s a reusable one).
It’s important to regularly wipe down the surfaces you use as the flu virus can live on surfaces for 24 hours, this includes light switches, your chargers, your mobile phone etc.[2] To make it easier to sanitise your mobile phone and other small items, you may want to consider investing in something like the HoMedics UV Sanitising Bag.
A study done in 2017 indicated that taking a vitamin D supplement may help to reduce the likelihood of getting acute respiratory tract infections, such as flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.[3] Though there is some dispute around whether or not this is entirely accurate,[4] the NHS does recommend that everyone take a vitamin D supplement anyway throughout the winter months.[5] This recommendation is because we don’t get much vitamin D naturally due to a lack of sunlight. Thanks to lockdown many of us are getting even less sunlight than usual.
If you do decide to take it, make sure to check the NHS website to find out what the recommended daily dose of vitamin D is.
It sounds obvious but getting your daily exercise, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep at night can all help to support your immune system. If it’s been a while, work towards:
If you are struggling with any of these due to existing medical conditions and/or need extra support, speak to your doctor as they will be able to offer further help and advice.
Wear a mask to protect the people around you. Wearing one makes it less likely for you to pass on any viruses you may be carrying. They are also now mandatory in public spaces and anywhere indoors that isn’t your own home. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have their own rules around mask wearing so make sure to familiarise yourself with these.
Almost any face covering is permitted, but for maximum protection try the medical grade Type IIR surgical masks. These masks have a bacterial filtration efficiency of 98% meaning very few particles get through, making them a safer option than a homemade mask.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54337585
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
[3] https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/add-vitamin-d-to-food-to-prevent-colds-and-flu-say-researchers/
[5] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
[6] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health/
[7] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/
[8] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
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