No one wants to catch the flu, but too often, people only think about flu prevention tactics when it’s too late. The flu can be a serious, even life-threatening illness for certain individuals, so the team at Anacortes, WA’s leading hospital encourages patients to take a proactive approach in preventing it. Below, the Island Hospital staff shares some of their best flu-prevention tactics.

4 Hospital-Approved Flu Prevention Tips

1. Keep Your Hands Clean

You probably already know it’s important to wash your hands to avoid picking up germs, but during flu season, it’s more critical than ever. Whether you’re out holiday shopping or catching up at a restaurant with friends, take a moment to clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

2. Don’t Touch Your Face

Germs can get in through your orifices, so make a conscious effort to avoid touching your face—especially your nose and mouth—when you’re out and about. Unless you’ve just washed your hands, you could end up transferring germs into your system, which might make you more likely to contract an illness like the flu.

3. Keep Your Distance

If a friend or loved one has the flu, maintain a safe physical distance from them until they’re feeling better. Should a housemate contract the virus, you can use germ-killing solutions on common surfaces like doorknobs to prevent germ transfer. This practice is good to follow even for people who have colds or other contractible illnesses, because a weakened immune system could make you more likely to get sick with the flu.

4. Get Vaccinated

Lastly, but certainly not least, make sure you get vaccinated for the flu virus! The vaccine is the best line of defense for preventing the illness, and it’s especially important for pregnant women, families with children under the age of six, and people with certain medical conditions. Nowadays, walk-in clinics and pharmacies offer the flu vaccine, so you might not even need an appointment.

Taking a brief trip to get vaccinated could save you from heading to the emergency room with dangerous symptoms like dehydration. To learn more about preventing the flu and what to do if you think you’ve contracted it, visit Island Hospital online. You can also call (855) 440-4200 to speak with an associate, or like the hospital's Facebook page for additional updates.