Personal Hygiene
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you may keep from getting sick with the flu:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Proper Hand Washing Steps
Prior to washing your hands, make sure you have a clean disposable towel ready for drying.
Wet hands with warm water.
Apply soap and work into lather.
Continue for at least 20 seconds.
Proper scrubbing will remove most of surface germs and dirt.
Rinse well with warm water.
Dry thoroughly using a clean disposable towel. You may use a disposable towel to turn off water and to open restroom door.Proper Steps for Disinfecting with Alcohol Sanitizers
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.
- Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.
- Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination. Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.