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How To Prevent Swine Flu

The best method of treatment for any ailment is prevention. The same goes for the swine flu. In order to avoid even getting this virus in the first place, just follow a few routine practices and you will be on your way to maintaining a healthy constitution for you and others this flu season.

Get Vaccinated

According to the CDC, getting your yearly flu shot is the number one way to prevent the flu from ever knocking you over. The 2010 flu shot will provide protection from the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu, and influenza A and B. 

If you have kids who are 6 months or older, get them vaccinated, as they are at high risk of contracting the flu. If you work in the health care business, get the shot as soon as it comes out to avoid contracting any illness you may contract through patients. Most health care institutions requite yearly vaccination.

Clean Up

To avoid getting the flu, take lots of vitamin C or at least a daily vitamin supplement, and make sure you keep things clean. If you have kids, instruct them on how to properly wash their hands, and how to use hand sanitizer. They can carry the virus to you as easily as you can get it from a co-worker.

Also, wash your hands every chance you get. If you use the bathroom, wash your hands. If you are on a public transit system wash your hands when you get to your destination. If you are unable to wash your hands, then carry hand sanitizer with you and make use of it.

Be Considerate of Others and Help Yourself, Too

When you sneeze, cover your mouth and nose. Not only will it help contain whatever germs are floating around inside you, it also provides a courtesy to those around you. On that same note, when you are in public places, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after you touch a railing or any other spot where others have had their hands.

If you have the flu, stay home for the first one or two days after your fever has passed so that the virus can become noncontagious. Be sure that your fever is gone naturally and not just with fever-reducing medicines, as you may still be contagious.