Flu season starts in early October. Being college students, we have a higher chance of catching the flu from someone on campus. Here I have some tips for staying healthy during this flu season.
1.      Talk to your doctor. It’s good to get professional advice on the flu shot. This shot may not work for everyone –since you still can sick anyways after receiving the shot – but knowing your options is best.  Also, if you are at risk for complications from the flu, your doctor can offer great advice that will cater to your condition.
2.      Wash your hands frequently. Our hands are home to many different bacteria. Someone with the flu can spread this virus from sneezing, blowing the nose, or wiping any secretions from the nose or eyes with his/her hands. It is encouraged to wash your hands frequently, especially after any of the above situations and before/after eating.
3.      Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E. Foods containing these vitamins are believed to be helpful in supporting the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin E include sunflower and corn oils, sunflower seeds, and nuts such as almonds and peanuts. You can get your daily vitamin C from foods like orange juice, citrus fruits, broccoli and green peppers. And make an effort to reduce your intake of concentrated sugar (e.g. soda, candy) because excessive sugar impairs the immune response.
4.      Get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep reduces your immunity defense. Getting adequate sleep helps the body natural defenses function at optimal potential. Seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended for the average adult.
5.      Stay hydrated. Increasing your water intake will help you stay healthy and lessen the chance of you coming down with flu.
6.      Exercise regularly. Not only can regular exercise lower stress, but research indicates that exercise can stimulate the immune system and promote healthy sleep.
7.      Listen to your body. If you do come down with a cold or flu, take it easy. Spending excessive energy steals valuable resources from the immune system. It’s best to stay home and rest. Besides, if you believe you’re coming down with flu, probably the best thing you can do for friends and family is to not expose them to the virus.
8.      Seek help if you get worse. If your symptoms become significantly worse after the first three days of illness, especially if your fever subsides and then returns, be sure to seek medical attention right away. The reason that flu is considered a potentially dangerous infection is that it leaves the body vulnerable to other infections like pneumonia.
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Source: http://www.oscillo.com/feature…