10 cold and flu prevention tips reduce risk for seniors and caregivers

1. Get the flu vaccine.
2. Wash or sanitize hands thoroughly and often.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. Clean the environment to eliminate germs.
6. Sanitize your mobile devices.
7. Stay away from people who are sick.

Can you be around someone with the flu and not get it?

That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with a flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others.

What is the best way for the elderly to prevent getting the flu?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine. Adjusted every year to better protect against the current flu strand, seniors and their caregivers should get the flu shot every year. The CDC has found that the flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu illness by 40%-60%.

How does flu affect the elderly?

Older adults are at higher risk of serious flu and flu-related complications including pneumonia and hospitalization. But there are also other risks that may not be as obvious—flu increases the risk of heart attack by 3-5 times and stroke by 2-3 times in the first 2 weeks of infection for those 65+.

How do you prevent getting the flu after being exposed?

Keep your distance from anyone who’s coughing, sneezing, or has other symptoms of a cold or virus.

1. Wash your hands regularly. Because the flu virus can live on hard surfaces, get into a habit of regularly washing your hands.
2. Get an annual flu vaccination.
3. Clean and disinfect surfaces.
4. Visit the doctor if flu symptoms arise.

Should I sleep with my wife if she has the flu?

“Avoiding close contact is probably helpful, but not a guarantee,” she said. Sleeping in the same bed will increase your chances of contracting your spouse’s illness but often can’t be avoided, Dr. Thompson said. “You can’t move out of the house.”

How do you avoid the flu when your family has it?

By practicing a few simple rules at home, you can help keep your family healthy and prevent the flu from spreading.

1. Get vaccinated.
2. Cover coughs and sneezes.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4. Wash your hands often.
5. Limit contact with family members who are ill.
6. Clean your home.
7. Practice healthy habits.

Which flu vaccine is best for over 65 2020?

Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is a four-component (quadrivalent) flu vaccine approved for people 65 years and older.

What is the fluad vaccine?

FLUAD QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and types B contained in the vaccine. FLUAD QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in persons 65 years of age and older.

What should I eat to prevent flu?

The American Dietetic Association says eating healthfully is a great way to boost immunity and prevent flu. Diets that are plentiful in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, healthy fats, and more can provide a wide array of nutrients and antioxidants that can help boost the immune system.

How long can the flu last in elderly?

Symptoms of a flu typically last for around five to seven days. For some older adults, particularly those with high risk factors, the flu may last one to two weeks. Some have reported experiencing cough and fatigue for up to three weeks.

How do you treat the flu in the elderly?

There’s no cure for the flu, so the virus must run its course. Symptoms do respond to over-the-counter cold and flu medications, though. You can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed for pain and a fever. It’s important to get plenty of rest to strengthen your immune system and fight the virus.

Does the flu cause confusion in elderly?

In an older person, feeling weak or confused may be the only sign of having the flu. Influenza can become a life-threatening illness in older adults and other high-risk groups of people.

What helps flu fast?

9 Tips to Ease Flu Symptoms

• Stay home and get plenty of rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Treat aches and fever.
• Take care of your cough.
• Sit in a steamy bathroom.
• Run the humidifier.
• Try a lozenge.
• Get salty.

What vitamins help prevent the flu?

Research indicates that many of us are turning away from the over-the-counter medicines we grew up with and toward natural cold and flu remedies, like vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, and others. Last year, we spent more than $1.5 billion on supplements to boost immunity and help ward off colds and the flu.

How can I get rid of the flu in 24 hours?

How to treat the 24-hour flu at home

1. Drink plenty of fluids to replace the fluids lost from diarrhea and vomiting.
2. Eat plain or bland foods that are less likely to irritate your stomach.
3. Rest up.
4. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-vomiting or anti-diarrheal medication.