It’s that time of year again! As cold and flu season approaches, it’s important to be mindful of certain best practices to avoid infection and stay healthy. Here at Keystone Compounding Pharmacy, we wanted to go ahead and share some of our top suggestions for staying healthy throughout cold and flu season, so let’s dive in:
1. Consider Getting Your Flu Shot
The first and arguably most important of our tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season is to consider getting your flu shot. Each year, the flu virus is different than the year before, which is why the vaccine is updated yearly. That means that just because you got a flu shot last year, you are not protected for this year. The flu vaccine works by introducing an inactivated or weakened form of the influenza virus (or a small piece of it) into the body. This trains your immune system to recognize and respond to the virus quickly if you are exposed in the future. our immune system develops antibodies, which are specialized proteins that can identify and neutralize the influenza virus. These antibodies typically take about two weeks to develop after vaccination, which is why getting your flu shot early in the season is recommended. Decades of research show that the flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccination reduces the risk of illness by 40–60% among the overall population during seasons when the vaccine is well-matched to circulating viruses. Even when someone who has been vaccinated does get the flu, their illness is typically milder and shorter, with a lower risk of severe complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure. Getting a flu shot is simple and is one of the best things that you can do to help protect yourself and those around you.
2. Wash Your Hands Often
Another of the best tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season is to wash your hands regularly, especially while out in public. Cold and flu germs are able to survive on surfaces for long periods of time, so a sick person could touch an object hours before you, but still pass the germs along to your body. Not only should you wash your hands often, but also try to avoid touching your face if you have not washed your hands recently, as this can help decrease the odds of germs making their way into your body.
3. Get Plenty of Sleep
Next up among our tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season is to make sure you are getting plenty of sleep each night. It is recommended to strive for at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night to give your body time to rest and recover. When you do not get sufficient amounts of sleep, your immune system is unable to function at its best, which can lead to a higher likelihood of getting sick with a cold or the flu. If you are struggling to get good sleep, you may find these tips to improve sleep quality helpful!
4. Utilize Helpful Supplements
Finally, there are several kinds of supplements that you can utilize to help improve your odds of staying healthy during cold and flu season, including products we offer right here at Keystone Compounding Pharmacy! For instance, we have Key Immune, which is a comprehensive blend of nutrients and botanicals designed to strengthen your body’s first and second lines of immune defense. It helps prepare the immune system to respond efficiently when exposed to viruses or bacteria. Not only does it help to support innate immunity with ingredients like vitamin C, zinc, and selenium, it also provides nutrients like vitamin D and quercetin to support the activation and regulation of T- and B-lymphocytes, helping the body develop precise, lasting immune memory. We also offer Hist Immune, which provides targeted support for individuals whose immune systems tend to overreact to environmental or seasonal triggers (like pollen, dust, or viral exposure). It balances the immune response while also reducing histamine-driven inflammation that can contribute to congestion, fatigue, or “allergy-like” symptoms during illness. By helping to modulate histamine release and enhance respiratory comfort, Hist Immune can offer improved comfort during seasonal challenges or viral exposure. You can also explore products such as Cofix and Viracid, which can help to support immunity or ease cold/flu symptoms.
When you follow these tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season, you will be giving your body the highest chance possible to resist germs and keep you feeling your best! If you are looking to go ahead and get started implementing these tips today, you can order Key Immune right here to help bolster your immune system and get your body ready to keep you healthy all cold and flu season long.
