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What's the best way to avoid getting the flu in a densely populated environment?

27 Comments

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take time off

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If surgical masks are so useless

Big difference between masks that most wear here and a surgical mask. You need a rated N95, N99 or N100 preferably with a respirator to stop viruses.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If surgical masks are so useless, why do doctors and nurses wear them during surgery? A fashion statement?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wear a nice Hello Kitty or Doraemon design mask.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Stop pretending masks make the slightest bit of difference and tell sick people to stay away from work - and off trains.

Also, a bit of soap in public restrooms - parks, subway stations, etc should be a given in any developed nation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Someone with these symptoms will have a cold if they manage to get to a party, not influenza,

there is no way to tell with a test. But this is exactly what happend to my 79 and 85 year old parents at a family Xmas party this past holiday. Both got flu symptoms the next day when they should have just walked out immediately but didn't want to hurt any feelings.

And as you infer, the different strains have different symptoms. My mom had no fever or vomiting, but a terrible cough, my father had to be hospitalized for a couple of days.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The most prevalent strain this season is H3N2, and the vaccines this year do nothing to protect anyone against it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vaccinations don’t work very well. They’re comprised of strains from previous years that companies make a wild guess might reappear this year. Flu strains mutate year after year. Vaccines are all about money and their efficacy is poor.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

1) Get vaccination

2) Avoid crowds

3) Wash hands after touching objects in public use, such as door handles, handrails, elevator buttons etc.

And it will help to stay generally healthy.

Someone walks into a house party coughing and sneezing, leave immediately no matter who's feelings will get hurt.

Someone with these symptoms will have a cold if they manage to get to a party, not influenza, but you are right that people should keep away from others when they have colds.

Can't say I go to many house parties in Japan anyway.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The first year I got a shot was the first year I got the flu.

Just a fluke though.

Agree with the general exercise and well being comments. Sleep plenty.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wear a mask.

This will help not to spread it if you have it, but will do little to protect you from catching it, especially on airplanes. "They are not designed to protect against breathing in the very small particle aerosols that may contain viruses.”

Speaking of planes, flying to the US next month. Yikes!! My wife always wipes down everything around the seats as soon as we sit down. Some say keeping the air blowing down on you will help.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Eat well, exercise well and sleep well. It works, but not always. So, in order to avoid getting the flu, I ask each and everyone of you to prevent from spreading the flu virus I you have. Some people try to come to the office even though he or she hasn't got well because of the bad social habit of "taking a few days off with just a cold". Caring for yourself sometimes leads to considering to others.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Wear a mask.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Be healthy to start with.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Avoid people with the flu (who insist on working even though sick), wash hands often, brush teeth, eat plenty of vegetables, and drink enough saké in the evening to keep you home.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I have never had the flu in Japan, colds yes, but flu no. I take crowded trains to work, and teach kids all day long. I have also been coughed on and sneezed on by kids who end up absent with flu. Could be diet, could be luck, who knows.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Evacuate densely populated area under false pretences. Declare it your personal fifedom, hire underlings to keep out the riff raff and hey presto; flu central is no more.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Someone walks into a house party coughing and sneezing, leave immediately no matter who's feelings will get hurt.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wash hands and brush teeth often, avoid sharing meals with people who cough/sneeze/complain about feeling ill.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Having the flu first. That way you have antibodies already and should find crowded places a non-issue.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Vaccination.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Avoiding flu is one reason why I am in Kochi and not in a big city. Sure, I miss things cities have to offer like bookshops and international airport proximity, but I almost never feel sick and that suits me.

If I were in a big city though I would simply stay off trains and away from really crowded places - not easy though.

Flu generally kills 2-5% of populations that get it anyway (even the Spanish flu pandemic 100 years ago, which went through at least 2 general mutations in 9 months). Yes, it then mutates and does it again.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

maybeperhapsyesToday 08:18 am JST

Luck really. So easy to catch isn't it.

Yep, quite right, there is little you can do though much you can do if you have it to prevent your spreading it any further. A flu jab can help protect you (provided the WHO guessed right which strain would be the problem).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Luck really. So easy to catch isn't it.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

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