How to Flu-Proof Your Home With EPA-Approved Disinfectants, HEPA Filters and Smart Habits
From doorknobs and phones to indoor air quality, a few practical steps can help reduce the spread of flu germs throughout your home.
Flu season is on the way, and the good news is your home is one of the most powerful tools you have to stay healthy. A few targeted upgrades to how you clean, how your air moves and how your family washes up can dramatically shift the odds in your favor.
Amy Pridemore, assistant clinical professor at Auburn University College of Nursing, told Campus Insights Media the goal is strategy, not stress. “Unfortunately, we can’t bubble wrap our kids. We can’t keep them safe from everything. But we can do things to really stack the odds in our favor.”
When flu season starts and why timing matters
Timing your prevention plan matters because the virus follows a seasonal rhythm. In northern regions, flu season runs October through March and sometimes stretches into May, according to the Mayo Clinic. Southern regions typically see activity between April and September. Symptoms to watch for include fever or chills, cough and sore throat, the CDC says. Runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue are also common. Vomiting and diarrhea show up more often in children than adults. Most people recover within two weeks, though complications like pneumonia or inflammation of the heart or brain can turn serious.
How flu spreads inside a home
Influenza travels through droplets that fly into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, Mayo Clinic explains. You can breathe those droplets in directly or pick up the virus from a surface and transfer it to your eyes, nose or mouth. People are contagious roughly a day before symptoms appear and for five to seven days after. Children and anyone with a weakened immune system may stay contagious longer.
How to prevent flu at home
This is where the right products do real work. University of Rochester Medicine recommends EPA-approved disinfectants proven to kill flu viruses, with attention to high-touch spots like doorknobs, light switches and countertops. Add remote controls, phones, faucet handles and cabinet pulls to the list. For electronics, reach for wipes designed for tech or a slightly damp microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Air quality is the next layer. Adding HEPA filters or air purifiers to common rooms can help limit airborne germs, the organization advises. “Respiratory viruses, like the flu, often spread most easily in crowded indoor spaces with poor air circulation,” Dr. Nayak said. Everyday habits round out the plan. Guidance from the CDC and the American Lung Association comes down to a few essentials.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Wash hands often and carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Keep physical distance from anyone who is sick
- Consider wearing a mask, which reduces spread when worn by someone infected and offers some protection to the wearer
Pridemore also encourages keeping sick kids home until they are fever free for 24 hours or their symptoms subside.
Why the flu vaccine still matters
A vaccine is the biological backstop behind every surface you wipe. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at high risk, the American Red Cross says. During the 2019-2020 season, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7 million illnesses and 3 million medical visits in the United States. It also prevented an estimated 100,000 hospitalizations and 7,000 deaths, according to the CDC. “You can still get the flu if you get the flu shot. But getting the flu vaccine does help to make the course of the flu a lot less severe,” Pridemore said. Young children, adults over 65, pregnant people and anyone with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease face the highest risk of serious complications, per Mayo Clinic.
What to do when someone in the house gets sick
Isolate the infected person and avoid sharing personal items, recommends David A. Cabezas, M.D., a family medicine specialist at UF Health Urgent Care. He also advises masks, frequent handwashing, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and improving ventilation. Household members at higher risk may consider preventive antivirals prescribed by a doctor. “If one family member falls ill, it’s important that everyone in the house monitor themselves for flu-like symptoms going forward,” Cabezas said. Early testing matters because antiviral treatment works best when started within two days of symptom onset, the CDC notes. Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, chest pain or persistent dizziness. Act fast on seizures or severe weakness. In children, watch for rapid breathing or bluish lips. Signs of dehydration and a fever that improves then returns worse also warrant immediate medical attention.
The video Protecting Families from the Upcoming Flu Season was first featured on Campus Insights Media.
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