University suggests ways to stay healthy during flu season

EDMONTON, Alberta, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The best way to guard against influenza -- getting a flu shot -- often isn't 100 percent effective, so the University of Alberta suggests ways to stay healthy.

The University of Alberta's Wellness Services suggests to stay healthy during flu season people should:

-- Wash hands often. How many time a day do you use door handles, public tables, counters in stores and restaurants? Every time you set your hand on one of the desks in a classroom or open a door it's like you're giving a high five to every other person who has previously touched it, so washing your hands is a big part of avoiding the flu.

-- Cover your mouth with your elbow if you have to cough or sneeze. Germs can spread 6 feet from an infected person coughing and sneezing. The elbow method is also the best way to prevent you from rubbing your germs back on yourself.

-- Avoid rubbing your eyes, wiping your mouth, or touching your nose before washing your hands.

-- Forget about sharing during flu season. Avoid sharing water bottles, lip balm, or that pen you chew on. And if you have a reusable handkerchief ... keep it to yourself.

-- Stay away from healthy people if you are sick. If you or your friends are sick, keep in touch over the phone, or iChat, or G-Chat, or Skype. If you see a sneezing person sitting on the bus, opt to stand or keep moving to the back.

-- Throw away all used paper tissues and paper towels so they are not touched by others by mistake.