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HWN Suggests

How to Prep for Cold and Flu Season Right Now, Before You Get Sick

Being sick is never fun, but that’s especially true if you’re not ready for it. We’ve all been there: shuffling down grocery store aisles looking for chicken noodle soup while trying not to sneeze too much in public...

Don’t underestimate common sense safety practices like avoiding crowded indoor spaces when the risk of COVID transmission is high in your area, staying home if you’re sick, and practicing good hand hygiene.

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  Flu Season Is Coming. Here’s How to Prepare

Although it’s stressful to think about yet another virus to avoid this fall and winter, the upside is that the same steps we’ve taken to prevent Covid-19 also prevent the spread of the flu. You can reduce your risk of the flu by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and washing your hands — and none of these strategies, thankfully, are difficult to do.

  How to Boost Your Immune System During Cold and Flu Season

Here are four things health experts say you can do to prepare ahead of fall and winter surges.

Articles of Interest

Busting common misconceptions about ways to prevent the flu

Hydration is everything. But the professor says the No. 1 way to prevent a bad flu is? Go ahead, Michel... Well, get your flu shot.

Cold and Flu

Get your yearly flu vaccine. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Hand sanitizer helps in a pinch.,,

Measures to prevent the spread of covid-19 have also fended off flu

Two types of virus cause winter flu. Influenza A viruses originate in birds and pigs. The h1n1 and h3n2 subtypes (named for the structures of two proteins on their surfaces) also infect humans. Influenza B infects only humans.

Something to Sneeze At

Most importantly, practice vigorous hand washing—after all, the skin is also a component of your natural defenses and one that actually can be enhanced by good hygiene. Take care of yourself by keeping a balanced diet, maintaining good sleep habits, and minimizing stress. These are interventions that have been shown to help keep your immune system at its best. These alone can “boost” your odds of staving off an infection this cold season.

Your Ultimate Guide to What Works (and Doesn’t Work) to Prevent Flu

December 9, 2013 12:00 PM EST With so many ways to prevent the coughs and chills, which remedies are worth the bother? From chicken soup to garlic, here are the best — and worst — ways to keep yourself well this season. To protect yourself from the flu, don’t forget to — Get your flu shot: Duh. This is the easiest way to keep yourself protected from common flu strains, and you have a variety of choices this season, from sprays to smaller needles to a first-time ever shot that protects against four strains of influenza. So there’s no excuse; there’s a vaccine for everyone.