South San Francisco, CA September 25, 2015 Submitted by Patricia Sarmiento, Public Health Corps
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as many as 20 percent of Americans are diagnosed with the flu each year. Of these individuals, the CDC estimates that about 200,000 receive costly hospital treatment as a result of complications of the illness.
However, there are many things we can do to protect ourselves and our families from getting sick. Since flu season is nearly upon us, I decided to put together a list of information on how to take care of our bodies and homes to prevent the spread of illness.
Flu Prevention
Flu.gov offers information on some of the medical options you have for preventing and treating the flu.
What everyday steps can I take to stop the spread of germs?
There are steps you can take in your daily life to help protect you from getting the flu.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Home Hygiene: Tips, Resources and Best Practices for the Prevention of the Spread of Illness
This guide provides EXCELLENT home-cleaning tips that will help keep your home germ-free.
5 Ways to Protect Your Child in Flu Season
Written by a physician, this article offers some helpful ways to help prevent your children from getting sick, as well as how to teach them to protect themselves using healthy hygiene practices.
Healthy House, Healthier Body
This article identifies some larger-scale home health hazards to take care of that may be threatening your health.
Senior Flu Prevention and Taking Care of the Elderly
Individuals who are 65 and older are especially susceptible to the flu virus. This resource offers insight on keeping your loved ones healthy.
Waterborne Illness and Swimming Pool Water
Bacteria has a habit of hiding out in our swimming pools. This article informs on what germs to look out for, and how to kill them.
Contracting the flu doesn’t have to be inevitable, and by practicing good personal and home hygiene habits, we can significantly cut our risk. Thank you for helping to spread awareness!