5 Ways to Keep Your Whole Family Healthy This Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season will be here before we know it. While these common viruses can be contracted and spread year-round, these diseases peak between December and February. 

With the sickness season looming, you may wonder what you can do to protect your family from contracting a severe form of these viruses or if you can avoid them altogether. 

At San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, our team is passionate about educating you and your family on how to live an optimally healthy life. Your best weapon against viruses such as the flu and the common cold is your immune system. 

Here are some practical ways you can boost immunity in your whole family to better fight against disease during these upcoming winter months. 

1. Prioritize proper hygiene

A great way to prevent colds and the flu is to stop infectious germs from meeting your immune system altogether. Ensuring you and the rest of your family practice healthy hygiene habits does just that.

Here are some basic cleanliness practices you can introduce this fall to keep germs at bay:

• Shower or take a bath every day
• Wash your hands before and after food preparation 
• Wash your hands before performing an activity that requires you to touch your face
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap
• Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Regularly wipe down shared surfaces, such as doorknobs, with alcohol-based wipes

Limiting the amount of bacteria your body has to fight off can reduce your risk of severe illness this cold and flu season. 

2. Get your flu shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highly recommends getting the flu vaccine every single year by the end of October. While the flu shot can’t guarantee you won’t still contract the flu, it lessens its severity and protects you against life-threatening complications. 

Our team at San Feliz Urgent Care offers flu shots each year, so be sure to take advantage of getting yours. 

3. Boost your immunity with sleep

Not only does getting enough sleep protect you against infectious diseases, but not getting enough sleep also puts you at an increased risk for them. This is because while you’re sleeping, your body produces vital proteins called cytokines that regulate immune system function.

Now is a great time to get your family on a regular sleep schedule, so you can improve your overall wellness and protect yourself from colds and the flu.

4. Strengthen your immune system with nutrients

Your body needs a wide variety of nutrients for all of its functions, and your immune system is no exception. While you need many vitamins and minerals for optimal immunity, vitamins A and D are the most vital, and if you have a deficiency, you’re at a higher risk for infection. 

Great sources of vitamin A that you can incorporate into your diet include spinach, mangoes, chicken breast, dairy products, and eggs. For vitamin D, try adding yogurt, salmon, milk, and orange juice. 

If you and your family can’t get enough of these vitamins through diet alone, try adding in some dietary supplements. 

5. See our team when sickness strikes

Even if you follow all of these guidelines carefully, it’s still possible for you or a family member to get a cold or the flu. Since these viruses can sometimes develop into infections, such as pneumonia or a sinus infection, don’t hesitate to see our primary care team for expert-level treatment to prevent more serious complications. 

For more on how to stay healthy this winter, contact our team by calling our office at 818.296.0201 or using our online form today.