Staying Healthy During the Flu Season
Diligence against germs has been at an all-time high over the past year and a half. Thanks to rigorous health protocols and practices, roughly 2,000 Americans were diagnosed with the flu during the 2020-2021 flu season. Just a year prior, the CDC estimated that there were 35 million cases of the flu throughout the 2019-2020 season. By taking specific precautions, you can reduce your risk of contracting and spreading the flu this winter.
Prepare your body against the flu
The CDC’s top recommendation to lower the risk of seasonal flu is to receive your vaccine every year. If it is not offered at your place of employment, visit a local pharmacy, urgent care center, or your primary care physician to receive your vaccine. Healthy habits also increase your body’s ability to fight off the flu. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water every day. In addition, eat nutritious foods, get adequate sleep, and stay physically active.
Wash your hands
Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses. Use running water and soap to follow the CDC’s 5-step procedure for correct handwashing: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry. This can reduce the risk of respiratory infection, like the cold, by 16%. Studies have found that on average, people touch their faces fifteen times every hour. Washing your hands removes bacteria and viruses that you may have contracted from various surfaces, preventing transmission to your immune system.
Slow the spread of germs
Healthy social habits can reduce the exchange of germs. When you are sick, avoid close contact with others and stay home if at all possible. Whether you are sick or not, remember to use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands.
Disinfect to protect
Anytime a person coughs or sneezes, they expel droplets that carry viruses. Depending on where they land, these viruses can remain active for hours or even days. They remain infectious for a longer period of time on non-porous surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, and elevator buttons. During cold and flu season, use disinfecting wipes one to two times a day to clean these high-touch areas. Focus on hard surfaces made of materials including metal, plastic, and wood.
Stay prepared this flu season
Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, it is preferable to avoid being sick altogether. To reduce the spread of cold and flu viruses this winter, contact us to discuss which products are right for your facilities.