THE FLU AND YOU: REDUCE YOUR RISK BY WASHING AFTER HANDLING THESE 4 ITEMS

This year’s flu vaccine may not be as effective according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). According to many experts, the best chance we have of minimizing our chances of contracting the virus is to diligently use basic sanitation and hygienic practices.

WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER TOUCHING…

You heard it from your mom when you were a kid, you heard it from your teachers, and if you have kids you probably hear yourself telling them all the time – WASH YOUR HANDS. The number one thing you can do to prevent flu contraction is hand washing. Use an antibacterial gel or foaming soap (not bar soap as it will be constantly handled) and keep it in multiple locations around your house, workplace, and even car. If you don’t have immediate access to antibacterial soap, mind where you place your hands and remember not to touch your face until you can wash them.

PHONES

Public phones are largely a thing of the past, but shared phones are still common in the workplace. Depending on how many fellow employees you have, your chances for coming down with the flu may be higher than you think. When holding the phone, be conscious that your face does not make contact with the mouthpiece. In addition, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to clean your hands and the phone throughout the day as it’s being used.

KEYBOARDS

Another bastion and safe harbor for germs galore. Our keyboards rarely if ever get cleaned and usually have a mixture of oils, food crumbs, and dried liquids on them. If you use a laptop, you may have even more bacterial and viral agents living blissfully thanks to the warmth produced from your hard-drive. Next time you’re collaborating with your coworkers and passing your MacBook around, you may want to take a couple seconds and wipe it down right after.

DOOR HANDLES

This is the most common item touched by all – they’re the only way in and out of wherever we are! You may not realize how many door handles you use on a day-to-day basis, but remember that everyone else is using them too. If you can use your shirt easily enough then it’s highly encouraged you do. Irregardless, remember to wash your hands and not touch your face.

SHOPPING CARTS

Part of staying healthy is eating well, but that means you have to brave a trip to the supermarket where everyone else is at buying chicken soup to get over their own illnesses. When you get a cart, look around. Many stores now have disinfectant wipes where the carts are stored for the exact purpose of sanitizing and reducing the spread of viruses in-store.

GET YOUR FLU VACCINE AT PPG IN HOUSTON, TX

It’s still recommended that you receive last year’s flu vaccine. It can reduce your chances of contraction and also help mitigate the symptoms if you do come down with it. You can get yours today at PPG. Visit our downtown Houston, TX clinic to receive your vaccination.

Sources:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm