From a fever and overall physical and emotional discomfort to coughing, sneezing, and other cold-like symptoms, having the flu can be uncomfortable. Unfortunately, if one person in your household has the flu, there is a high chance that others in the family will contact the virus, as well. Multiple family members with the flu virus can be challenging, especially as a parent who wants to comfort and care for their family. Here are a few surefire solutions for reducing your other family member's risk of the flu.

Schedule Flu Vaccines

The flu season is long, lasting anywhere from October to May, so this is the time where you and your family are likely to contract the flu virus. To reduce everyone's risk, though, make sure to schedule flu vaccines for each member of the family.

Most medical professionals offer flu vaccines between September and the middle of November. This ensures the vaccine has a chance to get into the system, helping reduce the risk of contracting the flu virus. Although there are no guarantees, the flu vaccines can be effective for not only protecting you from the flu, but also reducing the severity and longevity of the symptoms.

Prevent Germs from Spreading

If any family members already have the flu, germs are most likely running rampant inside the home. These germs are how viruses spread to family members, eventually causing everyone in your household to contract the flu virus. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent germs from spreading through your home.

Make sure everyone is covering their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing to get started. Also, each person in the family should be washing their hands properly throughout the day. Invest in a few containers of antibacterial/antiviral wipes, as well. Use these wipes to clean doorknobs, faucets, handles, telephones, remotes, and other surfaces of the home that are frequently used by your family members.

Eat Well and Get Plenty of Rest

Even though there are ways to ease the uncomfortable flu symptoms, the virus will need to work its way through the body over time. Ensuring your family has a healthy immune system will reduce how severe the symptoms are and how long the symptoms last.

Make sure everyone in the family is eating well and drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. This is especially important if your family members are vomiting or have diarrhea. Rest is also important, so allow your family members time to linger in bed or on the couch, sleeping or watching TV and movies.

For more advice and help dealing with the flu, contact a family medical care professional near you.