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Flu InformationHow to Avoid Colds and Flu This Winter
by:
ARA
(ARA) - For most of us, the worst part just about the winter season is that it’s as well flu season. Every year, the flu price Americans about $10 billion in lost wages and medical expenditures. Do sure you and your adored ones are taking the proper steps to stay healthy throughout the cooler months.
One of the most effective methods for preventing the spread of disease-causing microorganism
and different germs is a simple act most of us perform everyday: washing our hands. What we don’t do is perform this act properly or often enough. Schools are large breeding grounds for cold and flu viruses and studies have shown that children who wash their hands much oft tend to get sick less often. Practicing nice hand-washing habits can provide an effective extra line of defense for you and everyone about you.
“Common cold, flu and stomach viruses for example, can live on the fingertips for hours, and they can survive on the surfaces of objects for days,” says Dr. Prince M. Tierno Jr., author of “The Private secret Life of Germs” (Pocket Books Nov. 2001). “Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, but for the most part infectious agent infections just have to run their course.”
Therefore, the better way to avoid such illnesses is to prevent them from ever occurring. Dr. Tierno recommends the following hand-washing regimen:
* Effective hand washing requires some
soap and water. But remotion the hands with water alone is next to useless
* Wet your hands thoroughly and lather them with soap
* Rub the cleaner water all over the hands and fingers for at least 20 to 30 seconds
* Don’t forget to wash under fingernails
* Rinse and repeat
As for frequency, you should wash your hands some times a day, before eating, after mistreatment a bathroom facility and after coughing or inborn reflex on them. After shaking hands with someone, you should avoid touching your face or mouth until an possibility presents itself to wash up. It as well does sense to wash whenever coming in from outside.
In public bathrooms, you should wash your hands before mistreatment the toilet if you have had to touch a knob
or different surface on the way in. Once
you wash your hands afterward, use a paper towel or tissue to shut off the regulator
and open the door. Dr. Tierno as well recommends the use of tissues over handkerchiefs, which according to him tend to become “germ reservoirs” as we tend to hold on to them even as after we’ve used them to blow our noses.
For an additional layer of protection, use an anti-bacterial soap containing a agent such as Triclosan. According to Dr. Tierno, “It seems to me that germicides can be a valuable keep to nice health, especially for groups who are at extra risk once
it comes to infectious diseases. Children, pregnant women, the old and those with depressed immune systems are particularly vulnerable. Patch germicides are no substitute for conscientious hygiene, they fight bacteria, have no side effects and have not been shown to contribute to accumulated microorganism
resistance.”
Even if you don’t fall into one of the higher risk groups, you owe it to others to be much conscious of hand washing to avoid sending germs. Also, habits are better formed early on. If there are any children in your home, take the time to set a nice example and teach them how to wash their hands properly.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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Courtesy of ARA Content
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