Strategies to prevent catching the flu
In the fight against flu-like symptoms, a combination of good hygiene practices, wearing surgical masks, and supporting the immune system can reduce the spread of the virus by up to 60% in certain environments. This is according to recent studies, as reported by health experts.
A strong immune system is a powerful defense against the flu and its complications. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a moderate Body Mass Index (BMI), exercising frequently, sleeping for 7-9 hours each night, reducing stress, taking Vitamin D supplements, and consuming flavonoids are all beneficial for boosting the immune system.
Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab), and baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), can also play a crucial role in managing flu symptoms. These medications, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness when taken within 48 hours of flu symptoms appearing.
While many measures that help people avoid the flu, such as good hygiene, face coverings, and immune system support, also help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it's essential to note that the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19.
The effectiveness of flu shots in reducing the risk of flu and its complications varies based on several factors, including the type of vaccine, the strains it targets, and the age of the recipient. On average, flu vaccine effectiveness generally ranges from 19% to 60% over the past 15 flu seasons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Current vaccines provide moderate effectiveness, typically ranging from 30% to 70%.
Older adults and children are particularly vulnerable to the flu and its complications. Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu vaccine demonstrated a relative vaccine efficacy (rVE) of 27.4% in older adults (65 years or older), while live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) has shown effectiveness in children, though it may have a lower effectiveness against certain strains compared to inactivated vaccines like IIVc.
Vaccines are particularly effective in preventing hospitalizations. For example, the flu vaccination program in the UK is estimated to have prevented approximately 100,000 hospitalizations during the 2024 to 2025 season.
New drugs, such as those from Cidara, are showing promising results, with prevention efficacy (PE) as high as 76.1% in clinical trials. These developments could potentially offer better protection than traditional vaccines.
Quitting smoking can help prevent the flu, not only for the individual but also for anyone else in the household. The benefits and harms of antiviral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza have been questioned in some studies, but they can still reduce flu severity and complications, and may also prevent people from getting the flu.
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can spread to someone standing within 6 feet via droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking. Less often, people catch the flu by touching contaminated surfaces.
The flu virus can spread to 40-60% of workers and office visitors within just 2-4 hours of contamination, underscoring the importance of good hygiene practices and staying home when flu symptoms appear.
Flu activity often begins in October and can last as late as May in the United States. During the 2018-2019 flu season, an estimated 35.5 million people caught the flu, resulting in around 34,000 deaths.
People who smoke have an exaggerated response to viruses, including those that cause the flu, and are more likely to have fatal complications during flu epidemics than those who do not smoke.
Getting a flu shot is the single most effective way to protect oneself and others from the flu. The CDC provides information about locating flu shots, and good hygiene practices and staying home when flu symptoms appear are crucial in minimizing the spread of respiratory viruses, including the flu.
In conclusion, while flu vaccines are not 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of flu and its complications, especially in high-risk populations like older adults and younger children. Boosting the immune system can help protect the body from infection, and the flu shot has been shown to reduce the risk of flu by up to 60%, reduce hospitalization from serious flu complications in children by 50%, and reduce flu cases in infants younger than 6 months by 70% in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Adequate care of one's immune system is crucial in preventing flu symptoms, including practicing good hygiene, maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ensuring adequate sleep.
- Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, can be beneficial in managing flu symptoms and shortening illness duration, but their efficacy and safety are subject to debate.
- While many measures that help people avoid the flu can also prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread, it's important to note that the seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against COVID-19.
- The effectiveness of flu vaccines in preventing the flu and its complications can vary based on factors such as the vaccine type, the strains it targets, and the recipient's age.
- Older adults and children are at higher risk for flu complications. Specifically, Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu vaccine demonstrated 27.4% relative effectiveness in older adults, while LAIV may have comparatively lower effectiveness against certain strains compared to inactivated vaccines in children.
- Vaccines can prevent hospitalizations, with the UK flu vaccination program, for example, estimated to have prevented around 100,000 hospitalizations in the 2024 to 2025 season.
- New drugs like those from Cidara are showing potential for better protection than traditional vaccines, with prevention efficacy reaching up to 76.1% in clinical trials.
- Quitting smoking can minimize the risk of flu infection for both the smoker and others around them, and may potentially reduce the severity and complications of influenza.
- The flu virus spreads easily through the air and can contaminate surfaces, reaching up to 40-60% of workers in a contaminated environment within 2-4 hours.
- Flu activity may start as early as October and last until May in the United States, with an estimated 35.5 million cases and around 34,000 deaths during the 2018-2019 flu season.
- Smokers are more susceptible to complications and fatal outcomes during flu outbreaks, as their immune systems react more severely to viruses.
- Getting the influenza vaccine is the most effective method to protect oneself and others from the flu. The CDC offers information on locating vaccination sites, and good hygiene practices and staying home when sick can further minimize the spread of respiratory viruses.
- Beyond the flu, evidence suggests that a balanced lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, mental health care, skin care, and various therapies and treatments can contribute to overall health and wellness and help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
- Caring for one's health through education, self-development, and career development, such as skills training, can lead to enhanced personal and professional growth, ultimately improving well-being and supporting a holistic approach to health management.
