By now, we all know the flu is nothing to sneeze at. It’s an illness that sends people running straight for the sanitizer…and with good reason. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza and pneumonia were responsible for more than 50,000 deaths in 2011. It goes without saying that keeping your family healthy during flu season should be at the top of your priority list. 

While getting a flu shot is one preemptive measure, there are other ways to dodge the bullet. On the flipside, there are those seemingly innocent habits that put you right in the line of fire. Are you increasing your risk? Find out if you’re engaging in these six flu-courting behaviors that boost your likelihood of coming down with this deadly ailment. 

Replacing Hand Washing with Hand Sanitizer 

This isn’t to say that antibacterial hand gels aren’t helpful to prevent the spread of germs. Hospitals keep them in waiting rooms; some grocery stores even provide them to shoppers worried about what the last shopping cart user left behind. 

But if you rely on hand sanitizer as your only means of cleaning your hands, you could be putting yourself at risk of the flu. Those handy-dandy sanitizers should be used in the absence of good, old-fashioned hand soap and a sink. Sure, sanitizer is convenient, but a thorough cleaning is the preferred method of staving off those nasty germs. 

In 2009, an Australian study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases compared the efficacy of soap-and-water hand washing with use of alcohol-based sanitizers against H1N1 flu. It found that while both were effective in reducing presence of the virus on the participants’ hands, soap-and-water hand washing was the most effective. So head to the sink the next time you need to sanitize your hands! 

Rubbing Your Eyes and Touching Your Mouth 

It’s impractical – and impossible — to avoid touching every surface that might carry the flu virus. No matter how many handrails and doorknobs you avoid, there will be that one area you forget. And ironically, it may very well be on your own body. 

You could pick up the flu virus on your hands anytime you touch a public object like handrails, elevator buttons, shopping carts, taxi cab door handles, doorknobs and handles and the flush handle on public toilets. Instead of traversing the city in a biohazard suit, be mindful of where you place your hands on your own body. 

If you touch your eyes or mouth, you could introduce the flu virus into your body. So wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face. 

Worrying 

Some studies have found that stress impairs your immune system and, thus, your ability to fight off infections like the flu. 

In fact, stress might put you at risk for a host of ailments like: 

• acid reflux;
• depression; and
• headaches. 

So take steps to reduce your stress levels each day: 

• exercise;
• eat healthy;
• avoid working long hours every day;
• ask for help if you need it;
• stretch; or
• get a massage. 

Find activities that you enjoy and find a way to fit them into your schedule, no matter how busy you are! Stress could even lead to secondary behaviors that might increase your flu risk, like smoking. 

Lighting Up 

A weakened immune system is among the adverse health effects that SmokeFree.gov lists as associated with smoking. Some studies have found an association between stress and immune system impairment. Smoking obviously has a lot of adverse health effects. 

Most are aware of the long-term effects of tobacco use, like an increased risk of: 

• cancer;
• heart disease;
• emphysema; and
• wrinkles. 

But because it can impair your immune system, it could leave you more susceptible to acute illnesses like the flu. So instead of taking a smoke break and falling back on a bad habit when you get stressed, find other habits, such as going for a walk or taking a few minutes to meditate. And if you’re currently a regular smoker, talk to your doctor about resources to help you quit. 

Eating a Poor Diet 

Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables – and their antioxidants – could help keep you healthy. By following a diet that lacks the essentials, you might not get the nutrients your immune system needs to work at its fullest capacity. 

Replace unhealthy snacks like cookies or potato chips with healthy ones, such as oranges, apples and bananas. Instead of drinking a soda at your desk, reach for some H2O. Skip the drive-thru in favor of a home-cooked meal. If the creative juices aren’t flowing, hit the Web or ask friends for quick and easy meals you can prepare in 30 minutes or less. By preparing your own meals, you can ensure that your family will get well-balanced meals that include the recommended five fruits and vegetables every day. 

Going to Crowded Places 

This is a tough one. From offices to airports, people are everywhere. And not all of them are going to be healthy. But can you really avoid going to the office throughout flu season? And what about that business trip across the country with the packed flight? Offices, airplanes, public transportation, elevators, concerts, schools, daycare centers and shopping malls are all places rife with folks who very well may carry flu germs. 

Sure, you could cut back on your trips to crowded malls, concerts and other elective entertainment. Or you simply could take precautions like those mentioned earlier. Wash your hands and carry hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes and mouth. 

If you’re sick with the flu, don’t put others at risk by going to school or work, and do your best to avoid other crowded places where you might spread the virus. 

Reducing your risk of the flu is a multi-faceted job. Know how flu spreads, be aware of these risk factors and take precautionary measures to lower your risk of contracting or spreading it.