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It’s the season of coughs, sneezes and
sniffles. Your American Red Cross encourages you
to take an active role in preventing the spread
of the flu, colds and other illnesses:
- Cover your mouth when you cough or
sneeze. Try not to use your hand to
cover your mouth because you can spread
germs when you touch other surfaces. Keep
tissues on hand – for yourself and to offer
to others who may be coughing or sneezing
near you. Throw out used tissues right away.
- Wash your hands frequently. Hand
washing is one of the easiest and best ways
to prevent the spread of the flu and many
other diseases. Be sure to use antibacterial
soap and hot water to kill germs. Scrub your
fingers and clean under your fingernails.
- Use hand sanitizer gels. Keep a
supply of alcohol based hand sanitizer gels
on hand for yourself and others. They can be
used when you can’t get to a sink.
Antibacterial sanitizer towelettes can also
be used to clean your face, hands and body.
- Keep surfaces clean. Germs are
spread when a sick person touches surfaces,
such as a doorknob or sink, and then someone
else touches that same surface. Stock up on
antibacterial wipes. Keep some in your car,
home and office. They can be used in all
kinds of places and on all kinds of
surfaces. Use them in public places such as
restaurants and public bathrooms, or
anywhere a flu virus or bacteria may be
spread.
- Avoid close contact. If you have
the flu, stay home from work or school to
avoid spreading the illness to others.
Likewise, If you notice that someone nearby
is sick, avoid close contact with them.
- Get a flu shot. The best way to
prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each
year. The elderly, children, pregnant women
and people with chronic medical conditions
are most vulnerable, and should get annual
flu shots.
- Maintain healthy habits. Smoking
and excessive drinking can weaken the body’s
ability to fight disease. However, cooking
and serving nutritious whole foods,
including foods with plenty of Vitamin C, as
well as other fruits and vegetables and
yogurt, can all help boost immunity to
infections and viruses.
Please give blood regularly to lessen the
impact of a shortage when flu season is at its
peak. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE for more information.
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