⏩ How to avoid the flu this year.

Flu season is here. Peak months are December through February. Here are some tips from the Center for Disease Control on how to stay healthy this winter:

Do: Get a flu shot.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every season, especially persons who are in highrisk groups such as those who are pregnant, very young or over 65.

Don’t: Spread misconceptions.

Flu vaccines do not give you the flu. Some people may experience a reaction to the flu shot like soreness, a lowgrade fever and muscle aches, but these side effects are not the flu and will be gone in 12 days, according to the CDC.

Do: Wash your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs, the CDC says. (You can use an alcoholbased hand rub if soap and water are not available). Washing hands can help save lives.

Don’t: Have close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and do not eat or drink from another person’s cup, glass, plate or utensil.

Do: Stay hydrated.

Drinking plenty of water, both when you're healthy and when you're sick, can help your body stay healthy or recover faster.

Don't: Pull an allnighter.

Getting a good night's sleep is crucial for staying healthy and fighting off illness, health experts say. So don't stay up too late to get that project done. Get some rest and finish it another day.

Do: Clean frequently touched objects.

Door knobs, computer keyboards, phones should be cleaned regularly to help kill and prevent the spread of germs, the CDC recommends.

Don’t: Touch your eyes, nose, mouth.

You should avoid touching your face as this can help spread germs. If you have touched something contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, it can increase the likelihood of you getting sick, according to the CDC.

Do: Talk to your doctor.

If you do get sick, and especially if you are in a highrisk group, you should check with your doctor promptly on how to best treat your symptoms, the CDC recommends. Antiviral drugs may be a treatment option to relieve some of the worst symptoms.

Don’t: Go to work when you are sick.

The CDC recommends that you do not go to work, school or out to run errands when you are sick as you can then spread your illness to others.