7 Ways to Stop the Spread of Flu Germs
Unfortunately, you've caught the flu. Help keep it from spreading to your friends and family by following these tips.
Having the flu can be miserable. And unfortunately, the flu spreads quite rapidly from person to person through coughing, sneezing and touching any surface where the flu virus lives. To help keep those around you healthy, take these steps if you have the flu:
- While sick, stay away from other people as much as possible so you don’t infect them.
- If you’re sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without using any fever-reducing medicine.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then throw the tissue in the trash right away.
- Wash your hands well — and often — with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you can’t use soap and water.
- Try to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid spreading germs.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
Want to get ahead of the flu?
The single best way to avoid getting the flu in the first place is to get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend flu vaccines for everyone over the age of 6 months. You can usually get a flu shot at pharmacies, walk-in clinics, or of course at your doctor’s office.
If you’re not sure where to go for your flu shot, go Flu Vaccine Finder by the CDC. All you have to do is enter your ZIP code for nearby locations.
Stay healthy this flu season. Get your flu shot!
By Kristin Nelson, Contributing Writer
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing the flu: Good health habits can help stop germs. Accessed April 22, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention. Accessed April 22, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When & how to wash your hands. Accessed April 22, 2019.
Updated May 18, 2019