Flu season arrives every year with its usual mix of unpredictability and discomfort. While it’s hard to know exactly when or how intensely the flu will hit, you can still take smart, proactive steps to protect yourself and your family. Preparation isn’t just about avoiding illness: it’s about strengthening your overall health, minimizing disruptions to daily life, and making the season as manageable as possible.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to prepare for flu season, from building immunity to making sure your home is ready.
Prioritize Prevention
The best way to avoid the flu is to take proactive steps before it spreads. Preventative care can go a long way in reducing your risk and helping your body fight off illness if it does come your way.
1. Get a Flu Shot. Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the most common strains expected to circulate that season. Getting vaccinated doesn’t guarantee you won’t catch the flu, but it can reduce the severity and duration if you do. It also helps protect more vulnerable people in your community like infants, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses.
2. Strengthen Your Immune System. You can support your immune health with some everyday habits:
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
- Get regular physical activity
- Stay hydrated
- Prioritize sleep—aim for 7–9 hours per night
- Manage stress with tools like meditation, walking, or breathing exercises
A strong immune system doesn’t make you invincible, but it does help your body recover faster and more effectively.
Build Healthy Hygiene Habits
Germs spread quickly: especially in crowded spaces like schools, workplaces, or public transit. Reinforcing good hygiene habits is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your risk.
1. Wash Hands Frequently. Make handwashing with soap and water a habit before meals, after using the bathroom, and when returning home from public places. If soap isn’t available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good backup.
2. Avoid Touching Your Face. It’s easier said than done, but try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth—especially when out and about. These are common entry points for viruses.
3. Clean High-Touch Surfaces. Regularly disinfect doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, and shared devices. In the workplace or at school, wipe down your own space regularly with disinfectant wipes.
4. Practice Respiratory Etiquette. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, not your hands. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands right after. These small habits go a long way in protecting others.
Stock Up Before You Need To
Getting caught off guard with a sudden illness is never fun. Preparing your home ahead of time ensures you have everything you need without scrambling once symptoms appear.
1. Prepare a “Sick Kit.” Gather the essentials now so they’re ready when someone in your household starts feeling under the weather. Include:
- Thermometer
- Fever reducers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
- Cough drops or throat lozenges
- Tissues
- Electrolyte drinks or rehydration powders
- A few ready-to-heat meals or soup
2. Check Your Medicine Cabinet. Make sure you’re not relying on expired medications. Replenish any basics that are running low. If anyone in your family requires prescriptions, consider asking your provider if you can have a backup supply.
3. Stock Up on Pantry Staples. It’s helpful to have simple meals on hand in case you or your family members aren’t feeling well enough to cook. Think: crackers, rice, applesauce, broth, oatmeal, and canned goods.
Know When to Stay Home
Flu symptoms often come on suddenly, with fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and coughing. If you or your child feel ill, it’s best to stay home. Not only will you recover better with rest, but you’ll also help stop the spread of illness to others.
Keep an eye on symptoms, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider if you:
- Have a high fever that doesn’t go down
- Experience difficulty breathing
- Have symptoms that worsen after improving
- Are at higher risk of complications due to age or underlying health conditions
Support Recovery the Right Way
If you or someone in your household does get the flu, focus on rest, hydration, and nutrition. Avoid the temptation to “push through” too quickly. Let your body recover fully before returning to work, school, or other obligations. This not only protects your own health but helps reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
A Season for Readiness
Flu season doesn’t need to catch you off guard. A little preparation now can mean fewer sick days, faster recovery, and less stress if illness does strike. From building up your immune defenses to having supplies on hand and understanding when to rest, every small effort helps.
Caring for yourself and those around you during flu season starts long before the first sneeze. It begins with readiness and the confidence that you’re doing what you can to protect your health.
AIM Group Offers Primary Care & House Calls In East Hills, NY
At Advanced Internal Medical Group in East Hills, NY we have 40 years of experience providing care with over 20 services in primary care, house call appointments, and more. To learn more about any of our services, call 516-352-8100 to speak with one of our team members.