Flu or influenza is the most common disease that often occurs during the rainy/winter season, and almost everyone has suffered from seasonal flu. There are several ways to avoid the influenza virus, the viruses that cause flu, such as putting healthy lifestyle to practice, improving the body's immune system, consuming vitamins to washing hands often and thoroughly. Based on the reviews of past studies have found that the best influenza prevention is the use of a vaccine. Vaccines can be used by everyone in general, including by someone who has a disease condition such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or has a weak immune system.

The use of vaccine is considered as an effective way to avoid flu because flu viruses can develop rapidly, as the drugs that we consume may always need to adapt to the new type of the virus species. On the other hand, with the use of vaccines, after the body gets vaccinated, the immune system will form antibodies to protect the body from the virus

However, there are some exceptions regarding the use of vaccinations for influenza. In general, influenza vaccine can be used (according to doctor's advice) for six months or older babies. There are several categories of conditions that are recommended to get an influenza vaccine, such as:

• Pregnant women
• Older adults
• Young children
• Individual with a history of diseases such as asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, HIV / AIDS, kidney or liver disease, and obesity or patients doing chemotherapy.

Vaccination is not the only way to prevent influenza. It’s only one of many ways that considered effective to prevent influenza. There are other steps you can take to help protect yourself from the flu, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too, and it is better for us to prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Get plenty of sleep
• Wash your hands often, especially before eating or after you touch a surface the things that might be covered in virus; it is highly recommended to use alcohol/antiseptic soap.
• Practice good health habits by making the regular schedule of the quality of sufficient sleeping, be physically active, eat nutritious food and drink the water frequently.

Text by Rezky Zakiri
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s) :

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs (2016). https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm, February 21, 2017.
• Mayo Clinic - Flu Shot Your Best Bet For Avoiding Influenza (2016). http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20048000?pg=2, February 21, 2017.
• WebMD - How to Prevent the Flu. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/cold_flu_stopping_germs_work#2, February 21, 2017.