Fall brings with it changes in temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure that can affect our health. In addition, the days get shorter, sun exposure decreases, and with that comes a decrease in vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin that plays an important role in keeping the immune system in balance.
At this time of year, we become more vulnerable to certain illnesses, especially colds and flu.
Flu season usually begins in October, with peak illness occurring in January through February. Flu viruses survive better in cold and dry environments, so fall and winter are favorable times for their spread.
Another reason the flu is one of the most common fall illnesses is that people resume indoor work and spend less time outdoors, which favors the spread of respiratory infections.
How to reduce the risk of getting the flu?
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccination. The best time to do this is September, as the body takes an average of a month to develop immunity against the virus, and the peak of the disease usually occurs in November.
In addition, to avoid getting sick, there are a few tips:
- Hand hygiene is an important measure to prevent the spread of influenza. Washing your hands with soap and water removes viruses. If you can't wash your hands, use rubbing alcohol or sanitizing wipes.
- Avoid contact with people who show signs of illness. Viruses are transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person by airborne droplets (sneezing, coughing, shaking hands), so keep at least 1.5 meters away from sick people. Avoid excessive traveling and visiting crowded places to reduce the risk of getting sick.
- It is important to put on and change your mask on time. A medical mask should be changed every 2 hours: when worn for long periods of time, it becomes damp and wet, so using it can only cause harm.
- If you get freezing, try to go home as soon as possible – dress warmly and drink warm tea to keep warm. Also, it is very important to keep your feet warm. If your feet have been cold, do warm foot baths when you get home. Do not go outside lightly dressed. Dress for the weather.
- Wash your nose and gargle your throat. An isotonic solution is used to gargle the throat. It can be prepared independently from water and common table salt: 1 gram of salt per 100 milliliters of water. If desired, you can rinse the nose every four hours during the day. The throat can also be gargled with a solution of baking soda and chamomile extract.
- Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Each day's menu should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods increase immunity to viruses, which helps protect against many diseases. Include 400-500 g of fruits and vegetables in your diet daily.
Also in the menu you should add citrus fruits, dairy products, and boiled fish is useful. To protect against sore throat, you should eat ½ grapefruit in the morning and evening.
Drink more vitaminized liquids. For example, green tea, morsels, and the decoction of dried fruits.
- To prevent the disease, it is useful to breathe fresh air. And it is necessary not only to be outdoors more often, but also to constantly ventilate the room, as the concentration of viruses is very high in a closed room. Clean and disinfect surfaces with household detergents and disinfecting wet wipes. You can sleep with an open window, but there should not be a draft.
It is advisable to walk in the park, forest. Thanks to calm walking restores pulmonary ventilation, blood circulation.
- Think positive. When you are depressed, your body's strength decreases and your immunity drops.
- Take vitamins and immune-modulators as recommended by your doctor.
- Do not self-medicate. It is important to see a doctor in time for examination and treatment to prevent serious complications.
Remember! Timely vaccination is a reliable prophylactic method of preventing influenza. If you fall ill, you should seek medical help!