By Grace Wang and Dr. Chris E. Stout
According to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are in the thick of flu season, and we won’t be in the clear until May. Every year, the flu is responsible for an average of 20,000 child hospitalizations and anywhere from 3,000-49,000 deaths. While this illness is especially dangerous for certain groups, including the elderly, young children, and pregnant women, the CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated.
But aside from getting the shot, what can people do to avoid catching the flu? With kids packed into classrooms and adults packed into cubicles, germs have little trouble spreading, especially in cold weather, when our immune systems are weaker.
- Stay clean. First, wash your hands – a lot. Use regular soap and take your time (20 seconds or the length of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice through). If you’re in a public restroom, use a paper towel to dry your hands, turn off the faucet, and open the door, in that order. Second, disinfect common surfaces like phones, keyboards, and doorknobs. What should you do if you happen touch one of these items and it hasn’t been disinfected? You guessed it – wash your hands!
- Stay healthy. Taking care of your body will strengthen your immune system and protect you from all kinds of maladies, including the flu. Get plenty of sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. All of these things will give you a better chance of getting through the winter months flu free! Part of taking care of your body is avoiding places that house a lot of germs like clinics and hospitals. Of course, if you have to go, go! But don’t go unnecessarily, and if you do go – wash your hands! Even if you’ve gotten the message that washing your hands is of utmost importance, even if you’re following the steps religiously, even if you’re singing “Happy Birthday” two times through…don’t touch your face! Think of your eyes, nose, and mouth as doorways that germs use to get into your body. If you touch your face, you’re practically inviting them inside for tea.
- Stay away from “that guy.” We all know him. Maybe he’s sitting on the other side of your cubicle wall, sneezing up a storm. He never takes a sick day, and he’s probably proud of it. Sure, there’s something honorable about powering through, but let’s be honest here. “That guy” is spreading disease, and there’s nothing honorable about that. Stay at least three feet away from him. If he tries to shake your hand, give him a fist bump instead. (And then wash your hands!) If you are that guy…just stop it. Get up and go home, right now. No high-fives on the way out. And don’t come back until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of medications.
If you do get sick this flu season, protect others and take care of yourself by resting. Cancel your coffee dates, stay home from work, bum notes off a classmate, take a nap, drink some tea, and most importantly, get well soon!