Eight Ways to Stave Off the Flu

These simple steps can save you from a week of misery—or worse.

Public health officials will be watching this flu season with more than their usual interest. In addition to the latest version of the seasonal ( i.e., “regular”) flu that crops up between October and May, the world is now dealing with 2009 H1N1, also known as swine flu or novel H1N1 flu. This is a totally new strain of flu virus, meaning everyone is susceptible.

If you come down with flu-like symptoms, report them to your doctor. Cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hand), stay at home while you’re sick and for at least 24 hours after your fever disappears without fever-reducing medicines and, as much as possible, avoid contact with other people and shared surfaces—even in your home.

The good news? So far, novel H1N1 hasn’t proven to be an especially serious or deadly strain, although like seasonal flu, it has claimed some lives. More important, there are easy ways to avoid it.

Tip #1. Get your flu shot,

and encourage people around you to get theirs. There will be two vaccines this flu season: one for the seasonal flu and one for the novel H1N1 flu. The state Department of Health recommends that everyone get the regular flu shot—flu is dangerous and can kill, even if you are healthy and have no underlying health conditions.

The vaccine for the novel H1N1 flu is expected to arrive in Hawaii in October. The state plans to make it available first to people who are most at risk, then to anyone else who wants it.

Tip #2. Stay away from sick people.

Flu is highly contagious. If you know someone with fever, cough, runny nose and/or body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, encourage them to call their doctor and go home. If you live with someone who is sick, you need to stay away from them even in the house. Encourage them to stay in one room as much as possible.

Tip #3. Wash your hands often

with soap and water, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand gel. You can use antibacterial soap or the regular kind. Get in the habit of washing or cleaning your hands often, not just after going to the bathroom. Remember, flu viruses can live on surfaces you touch all the time.

Tip #4. Avoid touching your face.

If you touch a surface that’s been contaminated with the flu virus and then touch mucous membranes in your eyes, nose or mouth, you could get infected. Try not to rub your eyes, scratch your nose or put something in your mouth unless you know your hands are clean.

Tip #5. Wipe down shared surfaces

with household cleaning wipes. These include doorknobs, phones and keyboards at work and at home.

Tip #6. Turn off public faucets with paper towels.

Tip #7. During flu season, consider a sign or sign-in sheet

at work asking people to self-certify that they feel well today. The Disease Investigation Branch of the Department of Health started this in their office a few months ago. “It’s actually helped,” says branch manager Michele Nakata. “A lot more, people are saying, ‘I’m not feeling well, I’m just going to grab my stuff and go home today.’”

Tip #8. Get enough sleep, eat a good diet, and exercise regularly.

Living healthy and being good to your body will help boost your immune system. It may not prevent you from catching the flu, but if you do get a bug, it will help you fight it off and recover.