You're getting on a plane
"Planes are a great respiratory virus mixing bowl," said Michael Osterholm. "You enhance your risk there."
Subtract 5 points
You smoke
Smoking is an absolute risk factor for all respiratory illnesses because of the damage that occurs to the lungs.
Subtract 10 points
Your kids have the flu
Kids are major carriers. Younger ones can be contagious for more than a week after they've been infected.
Subtract 10 points
Your spouse has the flu
Once you're in a household where somebody has the flu, you may not get sick, but you're at a high risk.
Subtract 7 points
You sleep eight hours a night
Osterholm said he knew of no data to support the idea that adequate sleep helps prevent influenza.
Add 1 point
You leave the house with wet hair
"If it's 20 below and you leave your house with wet hair, good luck. But it has nothing to do with infectious diseases."
Subtract 1 point
You don't work with the public
Not being exposed to large numbers of people, some of whom may be sick, "surely reduces your risk."
Add 5 points
You live in a cold climate
Once flu starts to take off in an area, it doesn't matter where you are. Still, flu likes cold and dry weather.
Subtract 3 points
You work at a school/day care
In young children who haven't had the flu, the virus is more likely to be transmitted to them and through them.
Subtract 8 points
You are a workout warrior
Regular exercise is good for overall health, but it's "not a flu fighter," Osterholm said.
Add 2 points
You take vitamin C
It has not been clearly demonstrated to prevent onset of the flu.
Add 1 point
You touch the door handle in a public restroom
The flu virus dies quickly in the environment, so risk of contracting it by touching surfaces is low.
Subtract 2 points
You live in a dormitory
Dorm residents consist of a younger population that has a higher risk for flu.
Subtract 5 points
You eat chicken noodle soup
"It may make you feel better," said Osterholm, "but it doesn't do anything to prevent or reduce your illness."
Add 1 point
You use hand sanitizer
"I'm very high on hand washing," Osterholm said, but it's been "oversold" as a flu prevention tool.
Add 4 points
You got a flu shot
Age and other variables can affect how effective the shot is. Still, Osterholm and other public health leaders agree that the flu vaccine is the best prevention tool available.
Age 18 and under, add 8 points; age 19-64, add 5 points; over 64, add 3 points
Your results:
-4 or lower
Bummer. Your chances of getting the flu are high.
Between -3 and 3
Not bad, but you'd better take caution. You may be at risk for the flu.
4 or higher
Relax. Your chance of flu is fairly low.
Wild card
Remember, even if you're doing all the right things to dodge the flu, you still might catch this cunning virus.
Allie Shah • 612-673-4488