Is your immune system under ceaseless attack this winter? Want to maximise protection from the circulating bugs? There are steps you can take to give your immune system a leg up.
Let’s dive into the details and help you and your loved ones thrive this winter.
The flu shot causes antibodies to develop in your body about two weeks after vaccination. Then, if you get infected, these antibodies help your body fight and kill the virus. The most common strains of the flu virus change every year. The vaccine differs slightly every year to match these changes. That’s why you should get the influenza vaccine this year, even if you’ve had it before.
Some groups of people can have very serious, even life-threatening, symptoms if they get the flu:
For these groups the flu vaccination is free. You can check with a doctor to find out if you’re eligible for a free vaccination.
Got any vaccine questions? InstantScripts doctors can help you with the latest advice.
Behaviours that help slow the spread of COVID-19 will also slow the spread of colds, flu and other bugs:
Help your immune system fend off winter bugs by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and ditching some less-than-healthful habits.
To pack your body with immune-boosting macro- and micro-nutrients, eat plenty of:
Want to check how healthy you are? Request a pathology referral here.
Scientists study how exercise impacts your immune function. This area of science even has its own name: exercise immunology.
And what have they found? Regular exercise is linked to fewer cases of flu and pneumonia, as well as fewer deaths.
So, add some exercise to each day. Even 15 minutes walking will make a difference.
Finally, with some minor tweaks in your habits, you can combat these well-known enemies of the immune system: