Protecting yourself from the common cold!!!

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By Sharon Cobert-Groves

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Flu Shots

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Everyone should get a flu shot, but especially if you have an underlying condition that might predispose you to getting sick, such as being a current or former smoker, anyone with an autoimmune disease, people with diabetes, and the elderly. If you are working in a healthcare, school or library setting, you should definitely get vaccinated. The flu shot can cut your risk of getting the flu by up to 60% according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

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Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands frequently!

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FourHand Washing Mistakes

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1) You don’t wash long enough! The CDC suggests 20 seconds with soap and water. Scrub vigorously and get all the nooks and crannies as well as under the fingernails.

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2) Dry thoroughly with a clean dry towel. Your diligent hand washing is worthless if you skimp on drying. Germs love to breed in moisture. Leaving the restroom with still damp hands may make it easier to pick up germs from the surfaces you touch. If you have a choice of paper towels or air blowers, choose paper towels. Mayo Clinic concluded that paper towels are superior to driers without spattering germs or drying out skin.

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3) You wash only after using the bathroom. Any time you touch a public surface-elevator buttons, doorknobs, the ATM, etc., you’re at risk for picking up germs. Wash periodically throughout the entire day during cold and flu season. For times when you can’t get to a sink, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag or desk drawer. An alcohol content of at least 60% is effective at killing many types of germs says the CDC.

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4) You assume only hot water is best. Vanderbilt University states that cold water reduced levels of bacteria just as well as hot water, as long as hands were scrubbed, rinsed and dried properly. You’d need to use boiling water at about 2120 F to see a greater reduction. Ouch, that smarts!

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Anti-Bacterial Wipes

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In a study focused “solely” on wipes, researchers concluded that instead of preventing hospital-acquired infections, the wipes could actually be spreading bacteria when used improperly. “We saw only one wipe was used on consecutive surfaces such as bed rails, computer monitors, and keyboards. Instead, use one wipe per each surface per WebMD. However, it was also found that frequent use of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers in the classroom can definitely reduce bacterial and viral illnesses from Pediatrics magazine.

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Follow these tips and keep yourself healthy!