Benefits of the flu shot and winter health tips

What are the benefits of the flu shot?

• Prevention

Getting a flu shot may prevent you from getting the flu and can also help prevent the spread of flu to others.

• Helpful for pregnant mothers

For those pregnant mothers who get the flu shot, it has been proven that their babies face a lower risk of being hospitalised within their first few months.

• Helpful for people with asthma

The flu shot can reduce asthma attacks that lead to emergency visits and/or hospitalizations for people with asthma.

• Staying healthy in winter

According to the latest report ‘National Flu’ conducted by Public Health England: Influenza vaccine in targeted groups was 46.7% in under 65 years in a clinical risk group, 44.8% in pregnant women and 71.2% in those aged 65 years and over.

How to prevent the flu:

• Wash your hands

Hand hygiene is paramount when trying to prevent the flu so be sure to wash your hands often with plenty of soap and water.

• Use hand sanitizer

Carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be useful in situations where a sink is unavailable. This can prove to be crucial for both flu prevention and germ prevention.

• Get some exercise

Getting regular exercise can be a great way of keeping your immune system strong. This can be beneficial in helping your body’s defence against the flu.

Lastly, here are some quick tips on how to get back to full health if you do get the flu:

• Extra rest

Plenty of rest and a good night’s sleep is crucial and can help you get back to full health quickly.

• Eat well and drink plenty of fluids

Eating healthy food will be a big boost for your immune system and don’t forget to drink lots of water. We also recommend drinking hot tea with honey and lemon.