Three Steps To Prevent The Flu this Season

It’s that time of year again when the temperature starts dropping, as we move out of the holidays and into the Flu season. The Flu comes every year and it’s extremely difficult to determine the intensity or the length that it will endure. This year in particular we have already seen a horrible start with the death of 21 children already. This is why we must take more proactive procedures to shorten the duration of the season as much as possible. The following steps can guide you in the prevention of more deaths and illness this Flu Season.

1. Cover Your Mouth and Post Hand Washing Signs.

The Flu is transferred mainly through direct transmission. One way to help prevent the spread is to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

Another way of prevention is to wash your hands before and after you shake or touch someone else’s hand. Of course, if you aren’t washing your hands properly,this won’t help the situation at all. The easy solution to this is posting hand washing signs around your facility and in the bathrooms, which will help people understand the proper way to wash their hands so they don’t spread bacteria and viruses.

The proper procedure according to the CDC is washing your hands approximately 15 to 20 seconds, which is equal to singing “Happy Birthday” twice. This may seem like a long time, but it will help stop the spread of the Flu and your own chances of getting it.

2. Wiping Down and Sanitizing Hard Surfaces.

Make sure to disinfect the surfaces around your facility or home that have the most contact with people to help prevent the survival of this virus. These include the following:

• Doorknobs
• Handrails
• Elevator Buttons
• Tables
• Counters
• Chairs
•  Toys
• Etc.

3. Getting the Annual Flu Vaccine.

 Every year a new Flu Vaccine is developed to help combat the spread of this virus.  This vaccination is an injection with a small diluted dose of the virus.  This causes your body to produce antibodies which fight off the sickness. After these antibodies are created, your body will then be able to prevent the virus from reinfecting your body.

These three steps will help us get through the remainder of this flu season with minimal outbreaks.