.png)
Are you among the lucky group of Americans who can’t remember the last time you had a flu or similar illness? We hope so, and wish you continued good health.
Even so, it’s never a bad idea to actively seek to prevent an outbreak in your home, especially when you consider the following statistics from WebMD.com:
5% to 20% — Percentage of the U.S. population that will get the flu, on average, each year.
200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of problems with the illness.
$10 billion+ — Average costs of hospitalizations and outpatient doctor visits related to the flu.
So, what can you do to protect your family? First – get a flu shot. Children as young as 6 months are eligible according to the Center for Disease Control. And while a flu shot is no guarantee you won’t be infected, it can at least help lessen its severity and duration.
And don’t think it’s too late…the flu vaccine is still in good supply.
Here are some additional tips on flu prevention:
Avoid close contact with others who are sick, including members of your family.
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Even if you’re already infected, you can help protect others.
Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or, if one is not available, soap and water.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth during flu season.
Practice good health habits, which include eating right, getting plenty of rest, staying physically active, and drinking plenty of fluids.
Lastly, consider installing a whole-house air purifier in your home. Air purifiers filter out germs, including the flu virus, before they get inside your lungs.
Whole-house HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are among the most effective in warding off germs. By removing 99.97% of airborne particles, they offer major protection from the flu virus while preventing it from spreading to other members of your family. In fact, HEPA filters are so effective, they are found in hospitals, government buildings, and military bases world-wide.
To learn more about a whole-house air purifier and other air cleaning solutions from GBT Heating & Cooling, contact us today. Helping families like yours breathe fresher, cleaner air is one of the things we do best.