Influenza is extremely infectious in large part because microscopic droplets from a sneeze or cough spread it.¹²² To reduce your chances of contracting flu; get your flu shot. Influenza vaccination is the best preventative available, and it's 60 to 80 percent effective in healthy children and adults. People at high risk of serious flu complications are people over 50, people taking immunosuppressive drugs, and people who have chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, diabetes, severe anemia (such as sickel cell disease), and immune-deficiency diseases, all need an annual flu vaccine. Healthcare workers, caretakers of people in these high-risk groups should also get a flu shot.¹²³ Influenza is primarily spread person to person by aerosol transmission (coughing or sneezing), so avoid people who have the flu if possible.¹²⁴ Practice a healthy lifestyle, follow a good diet, get enough sleep, keep stress levels low and drink lots of water.¹²⁵