Flu Cases Skyrocketing in Minnesota – Here Are 8 Ways to Protect Yourself

It's the time of year when sicknesses really skyrocket again, and the flu is no exception. In Minnesota and across the country, cases of the flu have increased dramatically.

I found a map from the New York Post that shows which states have the highest flu cases. There are definitely states worse than us but Minnesota is pretty up there.

The states with the worst flu cases right now are:

New York (specifically NYC), New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.

Get our free mobile app

There are a few other states that have it worse-off than us but Minnesota is still in the 'high-activity' category.

ALSO READ: How to Get Paid to Plant a Pollinator-Friendly Garden in MN

States with the lowest flu cases at the moment are:

Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana.

So the flu is likely not going to let up any time soon, so it's time to take action from our end and protect ourselves the best we can.

(Sources: Mayo Clinic, Medical Xpress, WXII 12, Aquasana)

7 Tips to Protect Yourself from the Flu

1. Get Your Flu Shot

The first one is one we hear all the time: get your flu shot. It's never too late to get your flu shot! While, no, it doesn't 100% keep you from getting the flu it'll greatly reduce your risk and also, Mayo Clinic writes, "will often protect you from a serious case of the flu."

2. Wash Your Hands

This is important at all times of the year, especially during cold/flu/COVID season.

3. Avoid Touching Your Face

The main areas of your face that you don't want to touch are your eyes, nose, and mouth. You want to keep any bacteria away from those areas.

4. Clean Surfaces

Keeping surfaces clean is an easy way to prevent the spread of the flu.

5. Avoid Crowds

Avoiding any place where there would be lots of people is best to avoid catching the flu. However, that can be difficult depending on your job, where you shop, etc. So...

6. Wear a Mask

If you're going to be out in large crowds it's recommended you wear a mask. Of course, you can also wear a mask even in small crowds if that makes you feel more comfortable.

7. Cover Your Sneezes and Coughs with Your Arm

Always cover your sneezes and coughs with your arm. Don't cover it with your hand, because then you'll touch something with that hand that has all of the bacteria on it and you may as well not have covered at all.

8. Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is a great and easy way to keep yourself healthy. Here's what Aquasana says about how this works:

"First and foremost, staying hydrated helps keep the mucus membranes of your nasal passages moist so they can catch viral invaders before entering your body."

 

They also say that "If something does slip through—fluids help your body circulate blood more freely, enabling virus fighting white blood cells to reach their target faster so they don’t have as much time to replicate."

"Furthermore, drinking water also adds oxygen to your blood—which helps ensure all your body’s systems have enough oxygen to function at their best level to remove toxins and speed up recovery."

Stay healthy out there! However, sometimes you do your best and still get sick. In those situations, you need some of our favorite Minnesotan comfort foods.