According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the single best way to prevent the flu is with an annual flu shot. But don’t discount good habits like washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. These simple, everyday actions are steps that everyone can take to slow the spread of the cold virus and influenza.
Follow these tips to protect yourself and others from the flu.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, and if you are sick, keep your distance from others.
- If possible, stay home from school, work, and activities if you are sick, especially if you have a fever.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Or use the inside of your arm if you cannot reach a tissue in time.
- Wash your hands often with warm, soapy water. If water and soap are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Germs can come from anyone you meet, even those whom seem perfectly healthy.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like remotes, phones, doorknobs, light switches, etc., especially when someone is sick.
- Eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, stay physically active, and drink plenty of water.
How to Prevent the Flu at Your Child’s School
Contact your child’s school or daycare and ask if there is an outbreak of the flu or other illness. Encourage your child to wash his or her hands often. Ask your child’s teacher if he or she has an adequate supply of tissues, hand sanitizer, and disposable disinfectant wipes on hand; if not, consider donating some of your own and encourage other parents to do likewise. Also, ask the teacher or principal how sick students are separated and cared for until they can go home.
How to Prevent the Flu at Work
Ask your employer about protocol in case of a flu outbreak. Routinely clean your workspace and frequently touched objects. Make sure you have an adequate supply of tissues, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes on hand. Make sure someone else can competently cover for you should you become ill or need to stay home to care for a sick family member. And if you start to feel sick while at work, go home as soon as you can.
The flu is no laughing matter. Plus, with many viruses airborne, you can provide added family protection by acquiring a whole-house air filtration system that kills germs and viruses on contact. Call Air Professionals today for more information and a free new system quote.