Flu-Proofing Your Home: Proven Ways to Protect Your Family This Season
Before the 2026 flu season arrives in full force, UR Medicine’s experts share the simple steps that just might keep the dreaded coughs and fever away.
While there’s no way to guarantee a germ-free household, combining smart prevention strategies with getting the annual flu vaccine gives you and your family the best protection.
Make the Flu Vaccine Your First Line of Defense
Doctors agree: The single most powerful tool we have against the influenza virus is the annual flu vaccine.
The vaccine helps:
- Protect you from getting sick
- Make flu symptoms milder if you do get sick
- Protect vulnerable loved ones like young children, older adults, and immunocompromised family and friends
Flu shots are updated each year in an attempt to match the strains expected to circulate, so it’s important to get vaccinated every season. “Since it takes about two weeks for protection to develop, I recommend getting vaccinated by early October to ensure you’re protected before flu starts circulating,” says Jennifer Nayak, MD, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital.
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Wash Away Germs Before They Spread
Beyond vaccination, one of the simplest and most effective flu-fighting habits is frequent handwashing. Encourage everyone in your home to:
- Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available
- Make it routine to wash hands before eating, after being out in public, and after coughing/sneezing
Keep Surfaces Germ-Free
Flu viruses can linger on hard surfaces for hours, making regular cleaning an important part of protecting your family. To reduce the spread:
- Use EPA-approved disinfectants (products on the EPA’s List N, including certain Lysol or Clorox sprays and wipes) that are proven to kill flu viruses and other pathogens.
- Focus on high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, remote controls, phones, faucet handles, refrigerator handles, cabinet pulls, and appliance buttons.
- For electronics, use disinfecting wipes designed for tech or a slightly damp microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Beyond cleaning surfaces, adding HEPA filters or air purifiers to common rooms can help limit airborne germs. “Respiratory viruses, like the flu, often spread most easily in crowded indoor spaces with poor air circulation,” says Dr. Nayak, emphasizing the importance of good ventilation.
FAQs About the Flu Virus
When is flu season?
In the U.S., flu season typically runs from October through May, with the highest number of cases between December and February. However, flu viruses can circulate year-round, so it’s possible to get the flu at any time.
Is the flu contagious before symptoms appear?
Yes. People with the flu can be contagious for about a day before symptoms start, and for up to a week after becoming sick. The virus can spread to others before one realizes they have it.
Can you get the flu from the flu shot?
“The inactivated influenza vaccine contains only the protein that influenza uses to attack cells—it does not contain any live virus,” explains Nayak. “So, there is no way for the flu shot to give you the flu.”
Mild symptoms after getting the flu shot are the body building immunity, not developing the flu.
If I have an egg allergy, can I still get the flu shot?
Yes. A persistent myth is that people with egg allergies should not get the flu vaccine, but this is not correct. “Influenza vaccines are well-tolerated by those with any degree of egg allergy,” says Geoff Weinberg, MD, a UR Medicine pediatric infectious disease expert. “In fact, the rate of anaphylactic reactions after influenza vaccination is extremely low—and no higher for people with egg allergy than for those without.”
Can the flu cause complications in otherwise healthy children?
Yes, though rarely. Complications after a flu infection can range from dehydration, sinus or ear infections or pneumonia to serious conditions affecting the brain or heart—again, rarely.
What To Do When You Feel Sick
Explore all your care options with UR Medicine, including convenient virtual care options. Not sure what you need? Our online symptom guide can help you decide where to start.