I have written about gym germs in the past and now that flu season is here, I think it's important for those of us who are gym members to be aware of how easily it can be transmitted.
What is the flu?
One misconception that I often hear from friends is that catching the flu or a cold is from being in cold weather. This simply isn't the case. The flu and colds are viruses. The flu is caused by the influenza virus which attacks the respiratory tract (our lungs, nose, and throat.) The flu is much more brutal than a typical cold. I've had it before and dealt with not only fever, coughing, and congestion - but also some serious body aches.
How is the flu transmitted?
The flu virus is transmitted into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Therefore, if you end up touching a surface that is contaminated with the virus, you could end up catching the flu if you touch your nose, mouth, or eyes (main entry points.) That is why the gym is such an easy place to catch the flu. There are so many surfaces you may touch from cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, and bathroom surfaces.
How to help prevent the flu
A common way some individuals help prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot every year. The flu shot is often provided from October through November. There are some things to be aware of if you go this route:
- Flu shot does not guarantee you will not catch the flu
- You cannot get the flu from the actual shot (viruses in the shot are not active)
- There are some side effects
Consult with your doctor so that he can inform you whether or not the flu shot is right for you. While there is no guarantee of preventing the flu, the symptoms may be less severe if you do happen to catch it.
If you rather not get the flu shot, your best bet is to wash your hands more often. Particularly before you workout and right after. Avoid touching your face during your workout, particularly your nose, mouth, and eye area. You can also read a list of gym germ prevention in my previous article: Germs in Gyms - How You Can Stay Safe.
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Absolutely – wash your hands! Always a good reminder.
And hopefully those with the flu are not trying to go to the gym when they’re sick! That simply creates more problems, including passing along the flu to others.
Great tips! I’m not one for needles so the flu shot is out of the question. I do carry around the one step hand sanitizer with me everywhere I go..it’s great when you don’t have access to water.