Can I build immunity to a strain of the flu that’s been around before?
When the H1N1 strain hit in 2009, a lot of people got sick, explained Patsy Stinchfield, the director of infection prevention and control with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
\"Since then, everyone got sick or was vaccinated against that particular strain so you hardly see it going around,\" she said.
Immunity may not be life-long though, Strinchfield added. And even though having any kind of flu can help mitigate future bouts regardless of the subtype, some protection is not total protection.
Other than hand washing, what’s the best way to avoid the flu?
According to the CDC, the single best way to prevent the flu is immunization. Frequent and thorough hand washing can also help prevent the spread. You should also steer clear of sick people when you can, and stay home yourself when you don’t feel well. Because the influenza virus is airborne, take care to cover coughs and sneezes.
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