How to Help Prevent the Spread of Viruses

Outbreaks can be scary and a serious health threat. The majority of people who come into contact with viruses do well on their own fighting off infection.

For those of us who are immune-compromised or have underlying health conditions, fighting off viruses can be more of a challenge. Reducing the risk of infection is the best way to prevent a virus from spreading or from catching it yourself. Here are some tips;

WASH YOUR HANDS

Wash your hands. We hear this all of the time and there is a good reason why it’s so repetitive.

It works.

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most effective tools we have to keep us from getting sick or from spreading germs to others.

Wash your hands with clean running water and soap for at least 20 seconds paying special attention to harder to reach areas such as in-between your fingers and the back of your hands. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating.

After you have clean hands, refrain from touching your face. Try to keep your hands below your shoulders.

USE HAND SANITIZER

Keep hand sanitizer close at all times for those moments when you can’t wash your hands. Think of high germ areas that you come into contact with every day such as public door handles, ATM machines, handrails etc. Hand sanitizer should be stored in handy places like in your backpack or purse so that you always have it available after you come into contact with high germ areas.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Are you sick? Stay home!

Do you see someone else who is sick? Keep your distance from that person.

It’s recommended that you put six feet in-between yourself and sick people so you do not come into contact with droplets in their air from them coughing or sneezing.

It’s also perfectly acceptable during an outbreak to keep your distance from people in general. Skip that handshake!

USE CAUGH ETIQUETTE

Cover your coughs and sneezes. The best way to do this is by coughing or sneezing into a tissue and then immediately disposing of it and washing your hands. If you don’t have one available, cough into your elbow crease.