How to Avoid Influenza: Expert-Backed Prevention Strategies

I have seen a lot of flu in the hospital and in the office this week. This seems LATE to me…and yet it is true. Influenza (flu) season is in full swing, but the good news is that there are proven ways to protect yourself and others. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most effective way to prevent the flu is through vaccination. I suggest getting vaccinated every fall in October.

However, other important measures such as proper hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask can also significantly reduce the spread of the virus. Here’s what you need to know to stay healthy this flu season.

1. Get Your Flu Vaccine – It’s Not Too Late!

The CDC and AAFP strongly recommend that everyone (even during pregnancy!) aged 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. Even if flu season has already started, getting vaccinated now can still protect you for the remainder of the season, which can last well into the spring. The flu shot reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and complications, particularly in high-risk groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions.

Some people worry that the flu shot might give them the flu, but this is a myth. The vaccine is made from inactivated or weakened virus components that cannot cause the flu. Side effects, if any, are usually mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or a slight fever.

2. Wash Your Hands Often

One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the flu is frequent handwashing. The flu virus spreads through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:

• Before eating
• After coughing or sneezing
• After using the restroom
• After touching shared surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and public transportation handrails

If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

3. Stay Home If You Feel Sick

One of the biggest contributors to flu spread is going to work, school, or public places while sick. The CDC advises that people with the flu stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever has gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication). This helps prevent spreading the virus to others, especially those who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.

Encourage workplaces and schools to support sick leave policies that allow people to recover at home without pressure to return too soon.

4. Wear a Mask in High-Risk Settings

Masks have become a familiar tool in reducing respiratory illness transmission. If you are feeling unwell, wearing a mask can prevent you from spreading the flu to others. In crowded areas such as public transportation, hospitals, or during flu outbreaks, wearing a mask can add an extra layer of protection, particularly for those at higher risk.

Final Thoughts

Influenza is highly contagious, but by following these expert-recommended prevention strategies, you can reduce your risk and help protect those around you. The flu vaccine remains the most powerful tool in flu prevention, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Combine vaccination with good hygiene, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask when necessary to navigate flu season as safely as possible.

For more information, visit the CDC website. Stay healthy and flu-free!