Flu Immune 500

The contagious period for most people with the flu lasts about a week, from two days before they show any symptoms until five days after. For children and those with depressed immune systems, the contagious period may last up to two weeks.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, muscle ache, headache, congestion, coughing, nausea, and lethargy. The person is always contagious when they first present with these symptoms. Unfortunately, a person infected with the flu is also contagious for a day or two before they show any symptoms.

The flu virus can be transmitted through suspended water droplets. Projected by a sneeze, such droplets can travel up to three feet. The virus can also be transmitted by touch, either directly from person to person or by way of an intermediate surface. The best way to avoid such transmission is to always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and to wash your hands frequently. For the elderly and others whose immune systems have been compromised, an antiviral may also be advised by your health care provider.

Most people fall sick with the flu during the coldest months of the year, which are known as flu season. The first cases of flu in the year are usually identified in November or December. During the winter months, people tend to congregate indoors, giving many more possibilities for flu to spread; and the air is usually quite dry, drying out the natural mucus layer which helps protect against airborne infections. In most four-season climates, up to 20% of the population is likely to experience the flu each year.

Flu vaccines reduce this chance by up to half. However, the flu vaccine has to be developed well in advance of each flu season, based on the best estimate of which three strains of flu are most likely to dominate that flu season, out of hundreds of different strains. For this reason, the flu vaccine cannot offer full protection against the flu. However, if enough people in a population are immunized against these three strains of the flu, the rest of the population also gains some herd immunity. An ongoing study is examining the effect of mass vaccination on rates of flu infection in Ontario, Canada, which offers free flu vaccinations to all its residents.

The best way to avoid the flu is to avoid people entirely, especially during flu season. Since this is unreasonable, the next best way is to keep your immune system as strong as possible. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly. Above all, get enough sleep. Studies have shown that continual sleep deprivation can significantly increase susceptibility to infection.