But…do any of them really work?
Read this before you put all your faith in them.
Yes,even if youre pregnant.
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And no, getting the flu shot wont give you the flu;inactive flu viruses cant infect you.
Along with getting aflushot, hand hygiene is incredibly important.
(This is whydoctors and nursesoften use them.)
But there are also face masks and shields for other people who are looking for protection.
There are a bunch of options, likeBreathe Healthys reusable face maskandUlines surgical face masks.
(Uline and Medicus Health did not return SELFs request for comment.)
But for otherwise everyday use, its probably not worth the effort.
Youd basically need to wear one all the time while in public or exposed to other people.
(And remember, removing the mask or shield around other people makes it less effective.)
Unless youre the rare laundry fanatic, that doesnt sound doable.
Ultimately, this could expose you to the very germs youre trying to avoid, Dr. Schaffner says.
Most people considervitamin Cthe gold standard for preventing pretty much every illness, including theflu.
Thats why products packed with vitamin C have become so popular.
Thats a good thing, because evidence to support their flu-fighting properties doesnt really exist.
But thats for the cold,notthe flu, and theyre triggered by two different types of viruses.
Flying in an airplane basically means youre marinating in a tin can full of other peoples germs.
Theres also a chance that flu germs could get on commonly used surfaces.
The logic eludes me, Dr. Schaffner says.
These are respiratory infections.
Whats a seat cover going to do?
The virus doesnt hang out in the fabric waiting to bite you in the fanny.
But this is like putting a tiny bandage on an airplane-sized injury.
Its probably a little overkill, Dr. Adalja says.
Unfortunately, a seat cover isnt going to help in those situations.
Of course, the product couldnt hurt if its something that appeals to you.
Some hand sanitizer you could use after touching bathroom door handles wouldnt hurt, either.
Update: This post has been updated to remove certain product names.
