
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Cold and Flu Prevention Tips the single most effective way to prevent the flu is with an annual flu shot. However, good habits like washing your hands and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough go a long way toward preventing the spread of illness, too. This, along with other simple, everyday actions are steps everyone can take to stay healthy and slow the spread of the colds and flu.
Follow these tips to protect yourself and those around you during cold and flu season.
- If you’re under the weather, keep your distance from others, and avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
- If possible, stay home from work, school, and activities if you are sick, especially when running a fever.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; if you don’t have access to a tissue, use the inside of your arm.
- Wash your hands often with warm, soapy water. If water and soap are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, eyes, and nose. Germs can come from anyone, even those whom are seemingly healthy. Remember, we can be infected with a virus for days before we exhibit any symptoms.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often, especially when someone in your home is sick. These include remotes, phones, gaming consoles, doorknobs, light switches, etc.
- Eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep, and stay physically active to boost your body’s natural defenses.
Prevent the Flu at School
Contact your child’s school or daycare center and ask if there is an outbreak of the flu or any other illness. Teach your young children how to properly wash their hands and encourage them to do so often. Ask your children’s teachers if they have adequate supplies of tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes on hand and consider donating some to the classroom if possible. Also, ask the school nurse what protocols are put in place to separate and care for sick students until they can go home.
Prevent the Flu at Work
Ask your employer about protocol in case of a flu or other illness outbreak. Clean your workspace and frequently touched objects routinely. Keep a ready supply of tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes on hand. Have a coverage plan in place should you need to stay home while sick or need to be home to care for an ill family member. And should you start to feel sick while at work, stay away from others until you can go home.
In addition to the tips above, you can provide your family with an added layer of protection during cold and flu season – and all year long – by acquiring a whole-house air filtration system that kills germs and viruses on contact. Contact Anthony’s today for more information and a free new system quote.