It’s not just pumpkin-flavored treats and cozy sweaters that make a massive comeback as temperatures drop in the fall and winter. Unfortunately, flu season comes rolling in during this time, too. Healthcare professionals — those regularly exposed to different viruses and illnesses — are not immune to getting the flu, which could compromise the health of their patients who might already be immunocompromised or recovering from serious diseases. If you’re a healthcare worker, you must know important flu season health tips to protect yourself from getting sick with the flu and, by extension, keep your patients as healthy as possible.
When does flu season typically start and end?
Influenza viruses, which are responsible for the flu, can spread at any time of the year. However, the flu season typically starts in the fall and winter. In the United States, the spread of flu is more prevalent between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Flu signs and symptoms
Because the flu tends to spread easily, you should know the symptoms of the illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) shares the following common flu signs and symptoms:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Cough (usually dry)
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Severe malaise (feeling unwell)
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
While flu signs and symptoms can last anywhere from three to seven days, the cough associated with the flu can last for more than two weeks.
Staying healthy during flu season: How to protect yourself and your patients from getting sick with the flu
1. Get the flu shot
Getting an annual flu vaccine can help lower the likelihood of getting sick with the flu and also help reduce the chances of developing serious illness or complications from the flu. The flu shot is usually available in September or October.
The CDC also lists the many great benefits of getting vaccinated, including studies linking getting the flu shot with decreased illness severity and flu-associated hospitalizations.
2. Wear a mask
As healthcare professionals helping treat patients who may have the flu, it’s important to wear a mask to help protect yourself from getting sick and potentially spreading the flu to other patients or healthcare staff members.
It’s also good to consider wearing a mask at home if you or a family member is suspected of having the flu. In general, consider wearing a mask in public settings — such as in trains, buses, schools, and hospitals — during the peak of the flu season as it’s a good way to protect yourself from getting sick.
3. Regularly wash your hands
It’s important to thoroughly wash your hands to stop the spread of contagious diseases, including the flu. A study has shown that the hands are responsible for the spread of more than 80% of infectious diseases, which is why it’s vital to practice proper hand hygiene at all times. Healthcare workers are expected to regularly follow stringent hand hygiene protocols, which include washing right before touching a patient and after having contact with blood, body fluids, and contaminated surfaces.
4. Regularly sanitize and disinfect surfaces
Did you know that the flu virus can survive two to four hours on hard surfaces? If you or a loved one has the flu, it’s important to clean and sanitize frequently touched areas, such as doorknobs, countertops, desks, and tables, to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Don’t forget to use EPA-registered disinfecting products!
5. Avoid touching your face
This is something that everyone — including healthcare professionals — is guilty of doing albeit subconsciously: constantly touching the face. According to one study, healthcare workers touched their faces 19 times on average in two hours while being inconsistent with hand hygiene protocols. By avoiding touching your nose, mouth, and eyes, you reduce the likelihood of getting sick with viral illnesses.
6. Eat foods that have immune-boosting properties
To help build a robust immune system that can fight off the flu or help you recover faster if you’ve already caught the viral bug, you need to make sure that your diet is balanced and full of immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin D, zinc, protein, and probiotics.
