The FINANCIAL — As the holidays are fast approaching, another season is gearing up to make an appearance as well, though it brings with it a little less joy. Flu season is nearly here and almost one third of all adults (32%) do not think that having a flu shot will help them avoid getting the flu. In fact, less than half (43%) agree strongly that flu shots will help them avoid it. On top of that, many people seem not to worry about the flu at all. Over four in ten (42%) adults believe than “people take the flu season too seriously.” These findings help to explain why a majority of the public did not get flu shots before or during previous flu seasons.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,225 U.S. adults surveyed online between October 14 and 19, 2015.
Avoiding the flu
When it comes to the avoidance game, Americans have a few key plays in mind. Majorities of adults agree strongly that the following can help them avoid getting sick during the flu season:
Washing hands frequently (69%),
Being well rested (63%), and
Maintaining a healthy diet (54%).
Almost half (48%) believe strongly that dressing appropriately for the weather will help them do this, while substantial minorities feel strongly that getting a flu shot (43%), taking vitamins (37%), and using hand sanitizers (37%) will help them to avoid getting ill.
Older Americans (those 70 or over), who are especially vulnerable to the flu, are the most likely to strongly believe in the effectiveness of flu vaccines (75% Matures vs. 47% Baby Boomers, 35% Gen Xers & 33% Millennials) and the least likely to feel the same about homeopathic remedies (8% vs. 14%, 18% & 29%, respectively).
In addition, almost one in five adults (19%) strongly believe that homeopathic remedies will help them. It’s worth noting that many “somewhat” believe each of these options will help them avoid the flu.
There may be a few key things to keep away from on the path to flu avoidance as well. Half (51%) of adults say they limit their contact with children during the flu season and 35% avoid public transportation. When it comes to germ-ridden objects, doors – and their knobs and handles – (32%) top the list of things Americans believe are most likely to hold germs, far ahead of phones (19%), toilets and toilet handles (5%), remote control devices (4%), sponges (4%), and money (4%).
Dealing with the flu
What people want and expect if they do get the flu varies. Over eight in ten (81%) adults “just want to be left alone.” While 66% try to “tough it out” and keep going to work, contrary to CDC recommendations that those sick with flu-like symptoms stay home and avoid human contact. Meanwhile, 40% expect to be pampered by their spouse or family members.
A lot of things are seen as essential when dealing with the flu. Majorities say that all of the following are “must-haves”: tissues (75%), hand soap (64%), cough drops/throat lozenges (58%), cold medicine (54%), cough medicine (53%), pain reliever (53%) and vitamin C (51%). Almost half (49%) also see hand sanitizers as essential.
When it comes to the best time to use fever reducers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to treat the flu or flu-like symptoms, the results vary. While some will take drugs at any temperature above normal (20%), 21% treat between temperatures of 100 to 100.9 degrees and 24% use them when they reach 101 to 101.9 degrees. This means that by the time a fever nears 102 degrees, below which doctors routinely suggest letting the fever run its course – and do its job – in healthy adults, more than six in ten have already taken steps to bring it down. Relatively few wait until their temperatures reach 102 degrees or higher (14%), while 13% don’t use them at all.
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