2016 Super Bowl: Parties Could Spread Flu, Experts Advise Getting Flu Shots

Super Bowl parties are hotbeds for the flu virus and experts are advising those celebrating the sports event to get their flu shots. They should also be actively taking other measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Science Daily reported that, with the biggest football event in America happening during the peak of flu season, it's highly likely that the virus could spread among many people. While the flu strain has been characterized as "mild" this year, thousands of people are still vulnerable to the virus when there is a Super Bowl party crowd. It's also the elderly who may likely suffer more.

Researchers based their analysis by studying previous Super Bowl events from 1974 to 2009 and they discovered that flu deaths rose to 18 percent among the above 65-year olds during this particular sports season. New York Times reported that sick days from work and school, doctor visits and hospitalization occur more often during Super Bowl season that flu expenses can amount to $100 billion in America annually.

"It's people that are staying at home and hosting small local gatherings, so your Super Bowl party, that are actually passing influenza among themselves," said head researcher Charles Stoecker of the Tulane University School of Public Health. He cited many Super Bowl revelers may not realize that they are sharing chips and dips with people who might have the virus. "So we get the influenza transmitted in novel ways that's then going to eventually wind up in the lungs of a 65-year old," he added.

Stoeker suggested Super Bowl supporters make the conscious effort to prevent the spread of the disease  by getting vaccinated for flu. If you're already sneezing and coughing, it's better to avoid contact. However, if you do have to attend gatherings and not miss the Super Bowl celebrations, you need to cover your mouth and wear a mask when you're among the crowd.

Those hosting parties might want to consider providing hand sanitizers to guests, to be placed next to the drinks and snacks. Perhaps, the hosts could also place a sign next to the food to remind guests to scoop once or use the serving spoons right. Guests are also encouraged to resist double dipping their chips to lessen the chances of contamination and infection.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention have similar recommendations and the basic but crucial advise is to wash hands frequently to limit the spread of germs.

The 2016 Super Bowl is going to culminate on Sunday, Feb. 7.