Keep your germs to yourself!

A typical flu season can last from October through May, usually peaking in January and February. If you want to avoid the flu, the best way is to get a flu vaccine. But, that isn’t the only way to keep healthy.

If you’re sick, stay home. If you have a child that is sick, keep them home. It is as simple as that.

I know it is hard with all the other responsibilities we carry in life. But I can’t help to think if we would remove ourselves from everyone else while we are sick, that fewer would be impacted.

Flu germs spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing and by touching contaminated surfaces and objects. Here are some simple tips that may help you keep the illness at bay.

Practice good hand washing. Washing your hands is an excellent defense against the flu bug. Wash hands frequently. The proper way is to wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or while singing the alphabet. If you don’t have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel, spray or wipe.

If you’re sick, stay home. To get over the flu and to prevent spreading it to others, stay home from work or school while you have flu symptoms. There is nothing more annoying that hearing your co-worker complain about how horrible they feel, while you are thinking about the closest escape route from them.

Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without use of fever-reducing medicine.

Cover your mouth and nose with a clean tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away as soon as you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your nose and mouth with your upper sleeve or the crook of your elbow, not your hands.

Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. These are the places where germs can enter your body.

Don’t share eating utensils, drinking glasses or bottles with others.

Disinfect surfaces and objects that are commonly used, such as kitchen countertops, doors, sink handles and light switches. Harmful germs can live on surfaces for days, so it’s important you clean them often with a disinfectant. Don’t forget computer keyboards, phones and TV remotes.

Tags: life, health, flu, germs