Everyday prevention actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses and may offer some protection against Influenza (the flu).
First let us look at how flu viruses are spread. Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with the flu viruses on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose. Many other viruses spread these ways too. People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know that you are sick as well as while you are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill and those who have severely weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for longer than five to seven days.
Let’s look at some everyday prevention actions that all of us can easily do.
1) Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
2) If you or your child gets sick with the flu-like illness, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that you or your child stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicines.
3) While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
4) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
5) Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
6) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
7) Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
8) If an outbreak of flu or other illnesses occurs, follow the public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people and other measures.
At Big Sandy Medical Center we are all trying to get a handle on one of the most severe flu seasons in recent history. We all need to fight the flu together.
