If you aren’t making an effort to prevent catching the flu this season, odds are that you will catch the flu. For the majority of you, a bout with the flu will mean a few days off work and feeling super miserable for a while, for others the flu can be very serious, even life-threatening.

The flu can be serious, even deadly if you have a health condition like diabetes, heart disease, asthma or a weakened immune system. The trick is to not get sick in the first place. Ameriden, your source for Rhodiola Rosea supplements, offers ways in which you can best avoid the flu this winter.

Rest

You know well enough to get plenty of rest if you are recovering from the flu. The same holds true if you are trying to avoid getting the flu. Do yourself and your immune system a big favor by getting plenty of rest this winter.

Use Paper Goods

Cloth towels are full of germs, so stop using them. If people are sick in your home, switch to paper towels and paper cups that can be discarded after one use. You are less likely to swap germs by doing so.

Disinfect

It is a good idea to disinfect items around the house that are touched all of the time, like doorknobs and phones for example. These items should be wiped down several times a day, especially if there are sick family members at home.

Enlist Support

In the event that someone in your household does come down with the flu, you might need some outside help. You might want to set it up so you have somebody to watch the kids should they get sick or take the kids to soccer practice should you come down with the flu.

Plan Ahead

Even if you manage to avoid getting the flu this winter, other family members might not be so lucky. You might have to take time off work to help care for sick family members. So make sure you have sick days lined up at work just in case.

Check the Medicine Cabinet

Your medicine cabinet should be full of all of the medications you need should you or other family members get sick this winter. Make sure you have plenty of aspirin, pain relievers, fever reducers, cough syrup and decongestants. Also, make sure your digital thermometer has fresh batteries.

Wash Your Hands

In order to avoid getting the flu, you need to be washing your hands thoroughly several times a day. Your hands, and others, are full of germs and they spread colds and flu. Ask all family members to wash their hands well and often with soap for at least 20 seconds. Make them count out loud if you have to.

Stock Up on Supplies

Head to the store and stock up on all of the things you need to make it through another flu season. Load up on tissues, sanitizer, hand soap and paper towels. You also might want to consider picking items up that will help get you or other family members through a nasty cold or the flu. A few distractions like books, DVDs and puzzles are a good start.

Hang Back

The flu virus is a parasite that hangs around in respiratory secretions that can travel through the air in small droplets. So it is best to stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing. A flu patient can actively project these droplets by coughing and sneezing.

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face

Just touching a contaminated surface isn’t enough to give you the flu, the virus does not affect the skin. The flu virus must make it to a mucosal membrane in your nose or mouth to cause infection. You risk getting infected if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face.

Do Your Own Dishes

When you live with someone who is infected with the flu, it is difficult to avoid exposure. It helps if you take in extra chores, like emptying the dishwasher, in order to keep sick family members from contaminating everything.

Take Supplements for Immunity

Supplements such as Beta 1-3D Glucan or Olive Leaf Extract may help fight the flu and colds. Visit Ameriden and place your order today.