We’re now well into the fall of the year, in fact, where I live it actually looks and feels more like winter! Although we still try to get out in the fresh air as often as possible, unfortunately, we’re not outside as much as we are in the warmer months.
Consequently, this is the time of the year when many of us are spending our days in enclosed spaces, such as classrooms, shopping malls and office buildings which makes us more susceptible to becoming sick with influenza and then bringing those germs home to our families.
So, is it inevitable that we will contract influenza? No, it’s definitely not! You’ll be happy to know, measures can be taken to decrease the likeliness of becoming an influenza victim.
TOP 5 TIPS FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INFLUENZA:
1.) Eat well:
It’s important to make healthy food choices all year, but even more so during cold and flu season to make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs. Your body needs to be working at its best to fight off infection.
Not sure what you should be eating? Make an appointment with one of the in-store dietitians at your local Atlantic Superstore and you may also like to read my interview with an in-store dietitian that I wrote last flu season.
2.) Strengthen your immune system:
Getting adequate sleep (7 to 8 hours each night), drinking plenty of fluids (at least 8 glasses of water each day), eating healthy foods, and staying active will go a long way in staying healthy throughout the cold and flu season.
3.) Wash your hands:
To limit the spread of germs, wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Always wash with soap and water for 15 seconds to help avoid spreading and picking up germs. (I tell my family to silently sing the “Happy Birthday” song and when you’re done, the 15 seconds will be up.)
4.) Know when to stay home:
Know when a fever is too high and make sure to stay home if your temperature passes 100 degrees. Remember you should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school.
5.) Get the flu shot:
This is the most important tip of all! No matter what, the flu shot needs to be part of your influenza prevention plan. It’s your first defence against the flu and depending on how well the vaccine is matched to this year’s common viruses, 70-90 percent of flu cases can be averted through vaccination. You don’t need an appointment, just stop by the pharmacy at any Atlantic Superstore to get your flu shot without an appointment!
Remember, to stay on top of cold and flu season, stock up on foods that contain nutrients which contribute to good overall and immune health and most importantly, be sure to head over to your local Atlantic Superstore to get the flu shot. Visit http://bit.ly/FluCrew2018 to learn more about the services your local Superstore offers.
GIVEAWAY TIME
WIN – To help you stock up on nutrient-rich foods, the Atlantic Superstore is giving one lucky reader a $100 President’s Choice gift card.
DATES – Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM AT on December 31, 2018
ELIGIBILITY – Open to residents of Canada 18+.
TO ENTER – Using the Giveaway Tools form below, simply follow the instructions, complete the mandatory entries, (which unlock the optional entries), plus any or all the optional entries for your chance to win this prize.
Best of luck everyone!
Hand sanitizer tops the list as prevention is the best key to staying healthy! I also have cold medication for when it does hit
Reply
we usually take vitamins C & D, drink plenty of fluids, chicken soup and rest.
Reply
Our Flu FIghter Pack is getting the shot for the strain of the year, but if we end up sick anyway, Miso Soup, Ricola, and heat pads. :)
Reply
We like to take Vitamin C for prevention and have chicken soup and crackers when the flu hits.
Reply
We take vitamins like C and D to prevent sicknesses like the flu. Lets hope we all stay healthy this Christmas! Happy Holidays to you and your family <3
Reply
EMERGEN c or similar vitamin c supplement .. Some times we have coldfx, and other vitamins.
Reply
Our ultimate flu fighter pack is cold FX and of course a lot of vitamin C.
Reply
Fresh fruits, lots of water and a multi vitamin and getting the flu shot
Reply
Hand sanitizer and wipes we have to be very careful as my 1 year old granddaughter has CF so flu shots is a must also and vitamins
Reply
Washing hands and sanitizer. Eating healthy and drinking lots of fluids. If we do get sick cold and flu meds,chicken soup and lots of rest.
Reply
We usually use lemon and ginger to fight the flu. Cook with alot of garlic.
Reply
Apple cider vinegar
Reply
We use vitamin C, take Echinchea, and stay home get lots of rest.
Reply
SLEEP! Hand washing and lots of healthy food. 1000 mg of Vitamin C and drink Lemon, Ginger and Honey tea.
Reply
Green tea and lemon
Reply
we find drinking tea the best
Reply
Water, sleep, and echinacea have helped keep our bugs minor.
Reply
Drinking lots of water and making sure to keep up with hand washing.
Reply
Great article! A big yes to number 3! So many people overlook having good hand hygiene. Such a simple yet incredibly effective means.
Reply
Cough medicine and cough drops!
Reply
Always hand sanitizers & I always have ingredients to make homemade chicken soup!!
Reply
kleenex, cough medicine, halls, water and sleep
Reply
Ginger tea
Reply
We do lots of hand washing!!
Reply
Tea, vitamin c and lots of oranges.
Reply
Vitamin C, hand sanitizer and a good nights sleep!
Reply
Take vitamins and get a flu shot
Reply
Assorted Organic Vitamins
Reply
Always remembering to wash our hands when we get in the house, we also have hand sanitizer in the house and in our car and in my purse. Trying to remember not to touch your eyes , nose , mouth and ears when out and about. We use a good flu and cold medicine to help reduce symptoms as well… when we do get sick.
Reply
Vitamin C, plenty of water, fruits and veggies, tissues, Benylin One All in One.
Reply
Vitamins, staying hydrated and washing our hands
Reply
washing our hands and vit C
Reply
Hand sanitizer for when I can’t wash my hands. And a flu shot.
Reply
Our ultimate flu fighter pack is vitamin C.
Reply
We got the flu shot. We keep take vitamins daily. We keep cold medications and wipes on hand.
Reply
ultimate flu fighter pack includes hand washing and coughing in sleeve
Reply
Plenty of water and electrolytes, humidifier, tissue, cough drops, hand sanitizer, and oregano essential oil.
Reply
Orange juice so plenty of vitamin C
Reply
Hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, vitamins, water and exercise.
Reply
Vitamin C, cold medicine, Chicken soup.
Reply
Ginger and lemon. Makes teas that help with everything.
Reply
Lots of rest, lots of water and a daily cinnamon supplement.
Reply
Vitamin C, Halls’ Cough Drops, Saline Spray, Tissues, Hand Sanitizer, Humidifier, Vicks’ VapoRub, Nyquil (for Mommy) and Chicken Soup at the ready!
Reply
I keep Vitamin C, echinacea, cough syrup and hand sanitizer
Reply
Elderberry syrup is our number 1 go to for cold and flu. For congestion I also use sage and lemon balm.
Reply
Washing our hands, oregano oil drops and vitamin C does wonders for us.
Reply
Washing hands, using sanitizer and getting the flu shot.
Reply
Neocitran, Tylenol, hand sanitizer and vitamins.
Reply
First off we get our flu shot and I haven’t had the flu for over 8 years now, but throughout the winter months i will keep hand sanitizer and wipes on hand and we also take a daily vitamin
Reply
We get the flu shot but we also make sure to wash our hand often, hand sanitizer, vitamin c and plenty of rest
Reply
Vitamin C…lots of water to stay hydrated and LOTS of hand washing or sanitizer when we are out of the house!
Reply
Flu shot, neti pot, wash, wash the hands
Reply
Hand washing and making sure our hands are away from our faces.
Reply
oregano oil drops and vitamin C
Reply
we have oregano oil drops and vitamin C
Reply
We take our daily dose of multivitamin for that extra energy and protection.
Reply
A lA lot of sleep and vitamins help a lot
Reply
Our ultimate flu fighter pack consists of vitamins, hand sanitizer, tea, and drinking lots of water
Reply
Ours is hand washing and vitamin c
Reply
Lots of fluids, plenty of rest, wash your hands and cough and sneeze into a kleenex or your elbow not your hands
Reply
vitamin C, gingerale, vapour rub, fresh water, and fresh produce.
Reply
Kleenex, cold and hot packs, warm blankets, tea, fuzzy socks, peppermint oil.
Reply
Handwashing, lots of water, Sambucol and sleep are our go to flu fighters.
Reply
Soup broth, electrolyte powder, vitamin C, humidifier, & saltine crackers are in our kit.
Reply
Hand washing, vitamins, soup and rest
Reply
I get the free flu shot every year (Why on earth wouldnt you ? lol) and I make sure I take care of my self,w ith plenty of sleep and if I do feel like somethings coming on, I have chewable vit c
Reply
Vitamin c and b12 are in my flu fighting
Reply
We take daily vitamins (multi, C & D), eat healthy, wash & sanitize hands, stay hydrated, sleep 8 hours/day.
Reply
We try to get outside lots when we feel sickness coming. Lots of fresh air and walks. Then when we’re back indoors we eat lots of fruits and veggies.
Reply
chicken noodle soup and vitamin c
Reply
There is Vicks Vapo Rub, Vitamin C, Echinachea Tea, Honey, Lemons, Chicken Noodle Soup, Tylenol, Kleenex.
Reply
Rest and Amazon video and fruit see
Reply
My family uses fresh garlic to fight colds and flus.
Reply
My family’s ultimate flu fighter pack proper rest,exercise and healthy eating !
Reply
To fight the flu, my family gets the flu vaccination, drink lots of hot water with lemon, take vitamin c, and wash our hands a lot.
Reply
Handwashing and taking extra vit C and D.
Reply
Chicken noodle soup and kleenex
Reply
Vitamin C, soups and plenty of rest is how we manage at our home.
Reply
Mostly handwashing well with liquid soap, extra sleep and load up on the vitamin c.
Reply
We just make sure to drink tons of water , have some extra vitamin C make sure to soak up Vitamin d when we can , def need sanitizer .
Reply
Gosh I’m not sure we have one! I guess rest and blankets and tissues and pain killers and decongestants and … sleep?
Reply
Our flu fighter pack is homemade chicken soup, tissues, lots of rest, citrus fruits and plenty of fluids.
Reply
My flu fighter package includes hot lemon, ginger and honey warm drink. Oregano oil, probiotic and oscillo pellets immediately when the flu hits taken for 3 days morning and evening under the tongue. It works for me every time instead of the flu shot. Plenty of rest and homemade chicken soup.
Reply
Vitamin C and garlic…I put it in everything! Also, ensuring that there’s enough rest and fluids during the season. Happy holidays!
Reply
Our Flu FIghter Pack is getting the shot , homemade hot chicken soup with lots of garlic in it, tissues, hot lemon and honey tea. lots of sleep and a warm soft blanket
Reply
Lots of sleep, the flu shot, vitamin C and vaseline for chapped noses!
Reply
Chicken soup with plenty of herbs, chicken meat, vegetable, and pasta to provide the energy and nutrients to help anyone who is stick get better.
Reply
In our flu fighter pack we have, Cold FX, Zinc lozenges, Tylenol and disinfectant wipes! :)
Reply
chicken soup, orange juice, vitamins and plenty of rest
Reply
FLU SHOT STAY RESTED AND WASH YOUR HANDS
Reply
we have emergen C packs that we take
Reply
Our fighter pack is Vitamin C, lots of water and wash hands frequently
Reply
Good old fashion hand washing and zinc lozengers!
Reply
Kleenex, vitamins, tea, and cold medicine!
Reply
Saline nasal spray, lots of kleenex, gravol, tylenol, black currant losenges and a vaporizer
Reply
Water bottles are our go to. Being hydrated helps.
Reply
Hand sanitizer, lots of vitamin C and peppermint tea!
Reply
Flu shots for everyone, elderberry chews for the kids if they start to show signs of sickness. Lots of tissues on hand and hand washing is a must!
Reply
vitamins, hand sanitizer, and tea
Reply
We have tissues, cold & flu meds, cough drops, saline nasal spray and neocitran on hand.
Reply
Vitamin C and sanitizer is our pack. We are really strong on Vitamins and drink plenty of water.
Reply
We have hand sanitizer, Kleenex and chicken noodle soup.
Reply
Cold FX, vitamins C&D and washing hands frequently. We also all get the flu shot to ward off catching the flu.
Reply
Washing your hands after every cough and sneeze, using hand sanitizer when going out to eat. Lots of kleenex, homemade veggie soup, and Buckleys.
Reply
We make sure to wash our hands all the time, and drink plenty of orange juice when sick or starting to feel sick!
Reply
we have nyquil, vicks, advil and hand cleaner
Reply
Thank you so much, Brenda, that’s so nice of you to say!
Reply
Vitamin C and colloidal silver
Reply
We have Nyquil and Vicks rub.
Reply
chicken soup and ginger tea
Reply
Hot chicken noodle soup is our number one flu and cold fighter.
Reply
Vitamin C, lots of fluids and extra sleep!
Reply
Soap is the #1 must have item for fighting influenza. Washing alone isn’t enough. A good multivitamin and lots of sleep is really important too.
Reply
Vitamin C and cold fx is the mostly what we use.
Reply
We wash our hands, we sleep a lot, go to bed early, we eat well with a tons of onions, garlic and ginger and we drink a lot ot ecchinaccea tea!
Reply
Kleenex , hand sanitizer , soap , soup , vitamins , and healthy food !
Reply
we use hand sanitizer we sneeze in elbows and we wash our hands often
Reply
Vitamin c and sanitizer, oil of oregano
Reply
We take vitamin C and try to get plenty of sleep. Washing of hands or hand sanitizer. Also getting the flu shot
Reply
Tissues, hand sanitizer, vitamin C, lozenges,
Reply
I use Oil of Oregano at the first sign of a cough or cold.
Reply
Definitely vitamin C, chicken noodle soup, hand sanitizer, honey, and oregano oil.
Reply
hand sanitizers, vitamin c, lozenges are kept on hand this time of the year
Reply
good quality soap. nothing beats frequent hand washing
Reply
Soap for handwashing!
Reply
Firstly we frequently wash our hands or use a hand sanitizer. Using tissues for coughing and sneezing into. Plenty of water and bed rest when sick. Lozenges with active ingredients to help with a sore throat. A humidifier when necessary.
Reply
Our flu fighter pack has oil of oregano honey, vitamins, water, hand sanitizer, and tissue.
Reply
Hand sanitizer and vitamin c
Reply
Elderberry supplements are in my natural medicine cabinet.
Reply
We always get our flu shot! Lots of handwashing…I think oregano oil helps too.
Reply
Water, tea, popsicles, cold medicine, and tissues.
Reply
lots of liquids – water, tea, orange juice, chicken noodle soup
Reply
We wash our hands, we rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Reply
We use hand sanitizer, vitamins, soups, honey and the flu shot!
Reply
Staying healthy, lots of water, and hand washing!
Reply
We have taught ourselves to keep our hands away from our faces when we are out. When we come home, the first thing we do is wash our hands with hot water and soap. I did not realize how much we touched our face until we started to consciously not do it. You really have to concentrate not to touch your face. Thanks for the super giveaway opportunity!
Reply
Vitamins, lots of fruit & veggies, sleep and wash yout hands a hundred times a day!
Reply
Vitamin C, herbal tea, honey, cough medicine and tissue.
Reply
Our flu fighting regimen is lots of hand washing, vitamins, staying hydrated!
Reply
Keep your hands clean, vitamins and plenty of rest !
Reply
Lots of sleep, fluids and healthy meals
Reply
Eat healthy, exercise, vitamins and wash hands thoroughly
Reply
Eat healthy, exercise, take vitamins and wash hands thoroughly
Reply
Vitamin C and some medication, also tea!~
Reply
We take Vitamin C for prevention, wash our hands all the time, and eat healthy meals.
Reply