Flu season is here and it is inevitable that we’ll all get the sniffles. Although we can’t avoid getting sick, there’s much we can do to avoid spreading the illness.
Here are five tips to stop the spread.
1. Sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands
Growing up, we were always told to cover our mouths when sneezing, and that meant covering them with our hands. We never really think about the germs we spread around with our snotty hands and how everything we touch becomes a germ transmitter.
2. Warn others about your cold
It’s important to let others know you’re getting over a cold; especially when greeting them or asked to share food and drinks.
3. Reduce physical contact
Shaking hands with a sniffling, coughing, sick person is really no one’s cup-of-tea. So try to excuse yourself from any physical contact including:
- Shaking hands
- Giving hugs
- Kissing your grandma goodbye
4. Stay home if you’re not feeling too well
It’s okay to take a day or two off from work or classes, particularly if you’re feeling too under the weather. That way, you’ll avoid looking like total mess and your colleagues will appreciate you not wanting to spread the cold around.
5. Wash and sanitize your hands often
Although it’s common sense, we must remember to do it, and do it often, during flu season.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia