How to Prevent the Flu After Exposure

The flu is also known as INFLUENZA, and it is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can easily spread from one person to another, especially in crowded areas. It has the potential to be fatal and cause hospital stays, complications including pneumonia, and even death. In case you have been exposed to a person affected by the flu, taking the right measures can help minimise your risk of getting sick. Because of the COVID-19 situation, reducing transmission of the flu and all other respiratory illnesses has become a high priority.

We’ll look at vaccines, natural remedies, and early treatment alternatives in the following article to help you avoid becoming sick after being exposed to the flu. 

Understanding Flu Exposure

The flu is a respiratory infection affecting many people each year. It is caused by the influenza viruses that are passed from one person to another and can produce mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. It takes about one to four days after exposure for symptoms to start appearing, and after that, the virus starts multiplying in your body. The sooner you act, the greater your chances of being healthy. Even if you might not become aware of your infection right away, it could still be helpful to recognise the early signs of the flu in yourself or others.

Early Flu Symptoms to Watch For

It is good to be aware of the typical flu symptoms as this can help both treat and avoid the condition once symptoms appear. The key symptoms to watch for include:

• Fever & chills
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Headaches

If you notice these symptoms, especially after being around someone who has the flu, take immediate action. The flu symptoms often last for only a week and many people recover without any complications in their lives. However, in older adults whose immune systems could be weaker, the flu diseases may turn out dangerous. Older adults risk a higher chance of getting flu-related complications like pneumonia.

Steps to Prevent the Flu After Exposure

There are several things you can do right after exposure to prevent getting sick:

Boost Your Immune System

The first line of defence against flu viruses is a strong immune system. Once you have been exposed, shift your focus to increasing immunity. Here are some natural tips on how to prevent the flu naturally:

• Eating a good balance of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Being well-hydrated by consuming copious amounts of water.
• Get enough rest, as sleep helps your body repair itself.
• Immunity-boosting supplements, vitamin C, and zinc help fight infections.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

Flu viruses survive for hours on surfaces, making it easy to acquire by touching a doorknob, phone, or keyboard. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after being out in public areas. It is even imperative to do this before eating and preparing food. It is also essential to wash hands soon after using the bathroom. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Flu viruses often enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. After exposure, avoid touching your face as much as possible to reduce the chance of infection.

Avoid Large Crowds

Avoiding crowds is sometimes impossible to accomplish but is one of the essential practices. Limiting exposure to people at the time of flu season reduces the chances of infection. Flu transmits quickly within crowded spaces: enclosed rooms, which constitute schools, workstations and nursing homes. Wear a face mask whenever you visit a public place during flu season if your immune system is weak.

Get Influenza Immunization

One of the best prevention of influenza virus infection is through influenza immunisation. You can get flu vaccines to protect you against the most common types of flu. Get a flu vaccination every year. Every year, you should re-vaccinate against the predominant strain of the flu virus that is circulating because this changes from year to year. Note that it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to take effect. Sometimes, if you develop flu after getting vaccinated, that shot reduces the severity and duration of your illness.

Clean & Disinfect Surfaces

One of the ways to avoid getting the flu if one person in your house has it is by keeping surfaces in your house clean and disinfected. This would eliminate the flu germs. Several times a day, you may wipe down door knobs, phones, toys, light switches, and many other high-touch surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner. The flu patient should be secluded to a section of your house. If you take care of someone like that, then you must always wear a surgical mask along with gloves and wash your hands after taking care of them.

Seek Medical Care if You Experience Flu Symptoms

The flu can be fatal for anyone older than 65. If you are feeling any of the symptoms of flu, visit your doctor. Many of its symptoms resemble those of other respiratory infections. You need to self-isolate yourself, wear a mask, and maintain good hygiene until you receive your test results. Although there is no treatment for the flu, if the patient visits a doctor within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms and is exposed to the virus very early in the disease, they may be prescribed antiviral drugs. If taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, an antiviral may shorten the duration of the flu and alleviate symptoms, therefore reducing the chances of complications such as pneumonia.

What to Do If You Get Sick?

If you get the flu despite following all the precautions to prevent yourself from getting it, there are a number of other remedies that can be used to lessen your problems:

• Rest and Hydration: Rest is the best medicine. Drink plenty of fluids- water, herbal teas, soups- to keep hydrated and help your body fight off the infection.
• Over-the-Counter Medications: ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to help relieve fever and aches and pains. Some decongestants and cough suppressants can also provide some relief from symptoms.
• Stay Home: To prevent infecting others, you should stay indoors until the flu symptoms begin to subside. Most people are contagious for up to one week after symptoms develop.

Flu Treatment at Home

Most cases of the flu can be treated at home with simple remedies. Here are some tips:

• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist and ease congestion.
• Gargle with salt water to provide relief to your sore throat.
• Drink warm fluids like herbal teas or chicken broth to stay hydrated and relieve symptoms.

Conclusion

Preventing flu after exposure requires you to take quick action and combine some natural methods, good hygiene, and immunisation. If you take steps to boost your immunity, wash your hands often, and consider getting the flu shot, you can reduce the likelihood that you will become sick. Meanwhile, if symptoms already appear, early treatment and plenty of rest will enable you to recover quickly. Preventing the flu is easier than considering the pain of contracting the disease; thus, take these simple measures to keep yourself and those around you safe.

This blog has been medically reviewed by Dr Nagavender Rao M, General Physician.