Ride the subway, bus, or train Go to the grocery store or any other highly-trafficked store Go to school or work Go to a public restroom Use gym equipment
Antibacterial gel and wipes are handy to have around for when there’s not a facility nearby to wash your hands. It’s also a good idea to use your sleeve to cover your hands when you must touch items like banisters and elevator buttons. If you must wipe your nose or touch your face, cover your hand with a tissue - or worst case, a sleeve - to avoid transmitting germs directly from your fingers to your face.
If you or someone you know is sick, it’s best to use disposable cups while contagious. The germs can linger on a cup even after it’s washed, especially if it’s hand washed.
Washcloths and towels are especially important, particularly when it comes to children. Make sure each person has their own. Don’t share people’s makeup, either. Using someone else’s lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, and foundation could transfer their germs to your face. Avoid using someone else’s cell phone and sanitize your own frequently.
Do not be in an enclosed space with a sick person. Similarly, move away if someone is coughing or sneezing in public. You could also consider wearing a face mask when you go out to filter out bacteria and viruses.
Flu season usually occurs throughout fall and winter. It often begins in October or November, with cases peaking in January and February. [3] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Different flu shots are approved for different groups of people. Some are meant to be administered only to people 18 years or older, while others are designed for children or babies. Be sure to go to a professional clinic to get the right type of shot. [4] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you are considered “high risk,” you should definitely get a flu shot. The “high risk” category includes the following groups: people over age 65, children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women, people on immune suppressants, and people with certain medical conditions, such as asthma, COPD, heart failure, cancer. [5] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Vitamin A. Eat carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, squash, apricots, and melons. Vitamin B. Eat beans, vegetables, poultry, fish, and meat. Vitamin C. Eat papaya, broccoli, bell peppers, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, and brussels sprouts. Vitamin D. Get plenty of sun and eat salmon, herring, and soy. Vitamin E. Eat almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and peanut butter. [7] X Research source Selenium. Eat tuna, shrimp, salmon, turkey, chicken, and other fish. [8] X Research source Zinc. Eat seafood, beef, wheat germ, spinach, and cashews.
Meditate to lower your stress. Use breathing exercises to calm down when stress arises. Engage in fun hobbies, like painting, reading, or playing recreational sports. Express yourself creatively. Eat well.
Get just the right amount of humidity in the air. Try to keep the humidity between 30% and 50% in the summer, and between 30% and 40% in the winter. Dip below 30% humidity and the mucus gets too dry; go above 50% and you’re prone to giving yourself a different set of health problems. If you’re unsure about the humidity level in your home, you can test the humidity using a humidity meter, also called a hygrometer. You can usually find one of these in a home improvement store, a pet store, or online.
Garlic has been shown to help prevent infection. Ginseng is said to boost immune function. Probiotics help with digestion and to prevent infection. Echinacea is commonly used as a preventative measure against colds. #*Zinc supports immune system health. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Vitamin C is also essential for a healthy immune system. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
One of the most important vaccines you can get is for pneumonia. Although you may have been vaccinated against an illness as a child, your doctor may advise you to get a booster shot as an adult. Some vaccines, such as the Tetanus shot, require boosters in order to remain effective. Similarly, your doctor will likely recommend new vaccines that weren’t given to you when you were young. For example, shingles can be a devastating illness, but there is a vaccine for it that’s covered if you’re over 50 years old.
Visit a doctor to get vaccines and preventative medication if you’re going to a place where malaria, tuberculosis, and other illnesses are easy to contract. Find out what food and water is safe to eat and drink in the region where you’re traveling. You might want to bring your own provisions to be on the safe side. Bring a mosquito net if you’re going to a place where malaria is commonly spread. In some cases, you may also need to take quinine to prevent malaria.
