How to Flee the Flu This Fall

With the season of colorful foliage, flannel shirts and pumpkin spice lattes, comes the flu. Vaccination will always be the best way to protect yourself and others. And with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, your annual flu shot is free when you see a Preferred provider. Not covered by the Service Benefit Plan? See which plan is right for you by using our AskBlue tool. In the meantime, here are a few other ways you can prevent the spread of the flu on your own.

Wash your hands
Use soap and warm water and wash thoroughly for 20 seconds. Do this especially before meals and after any period of prolonged exposure in public places, like the train or the bus. Keep a pocket-sized, alcohol-based hand sanitizer on your person at all times for when you may not have access to a nearby sink.

Cover up
Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve in the crook of your arm. Make sure you use disposable tissues and not handkerchiefs, as they just trap the germs—then your germs go wherever your handkerchief goes. Always wash your hands afterwards.

Keep good company
Avoid crowded public places when you can and encourage friends or coworkers to stay home if they feel sick. If you feel sick yourself, don’t go into work. And don’t go to the hospital unless you notice you’re having trouble breathing or a high fever. The hospital is a breeding ground for bad germs.

Routinely clean
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects to remove germs—doorknobs, desks, tables and the screen of your phone are some of the most germ-prone surfaces. Do this at home, work or school, especially when you know someone around you is already sick.

Don’t touch your face
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Even if you’re extremely adamant about washing your hands, it’s always possible to pick up germs and these areas are the easiest places for bacteria to invade the body.