Can flu infection be prevented if you do not get flu shots?

Answer 1

Yes. Each year many people do not catch the flu. Some have been immunized, some have been careful to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, and some simply were not exposed to the flu virus.

Answer 2

Technically, you cannot prevent infection with seasonal influenza viruses even after the annual vaccination (flu shot). The virus could still be considered to have "infected" you by entering one of your cells. What a vaccine does is allow your body to more quickly disable the virus before it can make you feel sick. What the annual vaccine does is prepare your immune system against the specific influenza viruses so your body knows what antibodies to make to deactivate the invading flu viruses.

Actual prevention of infection would take complete viral isolation from the world, as the influenza virus is ubiquitous among humans. With the vaccines, it is the illness from the infection that is prevented.

To prevent flu illness you can use strict precautions to avoid exposure, but these may not be totally effective. Most infectious disease experts suggest both using the annual seasonal flu vaccines as well as careful hand hygiene and other preventive measures to avoid flu illnesses.

See the related questions below for more information on how flu shots and the immune system work together to prevent illness.

Answer 3

Always WASH YOUR HANDS, carry hand sanitizer along with you, get the flu vaccine, refrain from touching your mouth, nose, and eyes

Answer 4

Yes. The number one way to do this is to get a flu vaccination each year before the flu season starts. For other ways to help avoid getting the flu, see the related questions below.