So it's flu season again and you got your shot, but now isn't the time to sit smug in your immunity.
There are plenty of other things people can do to avoid getting the flu, say health experts, and to also avoid passing the flu on when they do get sick
"If your kid is sitting in your lap and sneezes into your face you're a sitting duck," says Dr. Monika Naus, medical director of immunization with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. But many other people get the flu from touching infected surfaces with their hands, such as an elevator button or shaking someone's hand, and then touching their face, she says.
In that case, regular hand washing, using alcohol hand sanitizers and keeping hands away from the face can all help keep you healthy. Hand washing also needs to be done properly, says Naus, and that means not just a quick rinse under the tap.
"The important things about your hands, the parts of your hands that get contaminated are typically your fingertips, but you should wash your hands as long as it takes to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and consider your finger to have four sides so washing in between the fingers as well is important," she said.
Remind them not to share food or drinks with other children, says Naus, and work with them over hand washing.
What about diet and sleep? While Naus said those things are important, and can help ensure the immune system is strong, they won't stop the
virus from getting into the system in the first place.
Responsibilities don't stop when you get sick, adds Naus.
"The other important thing is, for goodness sake, if you have a fever stay home," she says.
"Don't come to the office and don't send their child to school if you're ill, because you're going to spread it around," she said.
Naus is also advocating what's known as the sleeve sneeze, sneezing into your arm, in particular the crux of your elbow, instead of your hand.
"If you do sneeze into your hand into a tissue, dispose of that tissue rather than putting it on a table top, and wash your hands," she said.
