The most special time of the year has come around again- the holiday season. Festivities, holiday gift shopping, baking, and preparation take hold of our busy schedules. Each X on the calendar marks being one day closer to the winter break widely accepted from work or school. The Hanukkah and Christmas themed storefront windows spark excitement within eager shoppers. Hot chocolate and holiday themed coffee drinks warm many in the cold weather.
Unfortunately, one aspect of this season is often overlooked, the fact that it is known as the Flu season for a reason. It is often due to colder, wetter weather conditions. Our bodies do a lot of fighting to prevent us from getting sick so often, but the immune system can often become more vulnerable to sickness during this period. Of course, many people have resorted to getting the flu shot to skip over this negative side of winter.
Earlier this week, CNN released an article focused on a recent study published by the Center for Disease Control, stating that this may be a season of especially heightened contamination as the current strain of the flu virus has mutated, making the vaccine less effective. So what does this mean for the future of the flu vaccination?
Simply put, it is still the best preventive measure against the flu and people should not stop vaccinating themselves. Scientists are continuously working on improving the prevention rate of the flu vaccine, as 1 in 6 people are still believed to get sick despite receiving it. There are also many steps you can personally take to relieve some of the stress off your immune system- wash your hands when you get the chance and after you use the restroom. Also, avoid touching any areas on your face often like your mouth and eyes. If you are around someone that is sick, try to separate yourself from him or her for a bit. They won’t take it personally- it’s not you; it’s your immune system!
Probably one of the most effective personal measures you can take is maintaining healthy habits. The importance of adequate amounts of water, sleep, stress relief, exercise, and wholesome eating is immeasurable. A healthy lifestyle can also promote the positive attitude you need to get through those last few weeks of finals and work projects before the end of the year. Covering yourself when you cough or sneeze is also a great way to prevent the spread of sickness (as long as you don’t cover yourself with your hands). Putting an end to the nuisance we call the flu will mean a better holiday season for everyone.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/health/flu-vaccine-mutated-virus/
