Flu Season: Immune Systems

Flu Shot Dept: Video: The best ways to avoid the flu 2009 Getty Images Watch video, according to Globe and Mail. During cold and flu season, it s important that you re taking steps to keep your family healthy, and the best defence is prevention. To allow you to spend time together and maintain good health, follow these simple steps: 1. Take care of your immune system. Our body has natural defences that kick into high gear when exposed to the bugs that make us sick. But our immune systems don t work as well when we re tired or undernourished, so encourage your kids and parents to maintain routine sleep cycles, healthy diets and regular exercise to keep them strong. If there is a smoker in the family, be aware that exposure to second-hand smoke can also decrease immune function. 2. Decrease the sharing of germs. Viruses and bacteria are most commonly spread through contaminated surfaces and cough droplets. Break the chain of transmission by teaching your kids to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and wash their hands regularly. If infection is a concern, clean and disinfect surfaces that both your kids and parents may come in contact with. 3. Get the flu shot. Children under 5, and those over 65 or with other health conditions, are at highest risk of getting the flu and having a more severe and prolonged course. So get your family the flu shot, and don t forget about yourself! Even if you re not at high risk of flu, getting the shot will still reduce your risk of infection and subsequently spreading it to the more susceptible members of your family. 4. Visit when you re healthy: If you or your kids are coming down with an illness, it may be best to postpone your visit with their grandparents for a few days until you re well and video: How to bounce back from the flu Thinkstock video Answering flu questions (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.