News

Don’t spread the flu!

Monday, November 13, 2006
Ruth May, R.N., CASC

It’s flu season again and regardless of how many get a flu shot or mist, there will be thousands of people coughing, wheezing and sneezing during this season of the year. The best weapon against the flu is prevention. The flu virus lives in droplets that can float in the air three feet away from someone infected with the flu. It can be transferred through the air, and by touch and close contact. Here are some suggested practices that are really just common sense and common courtesy.

For those who get sick, stay home! If you don’t leave the house, you can’t infect co-workers, classmates, or others at the grocery store. You are not doing anyone any favors by showing up to work or school sick. You are just spreading the flu to others who will not be happy when they wake up with chills, aches, fever and congestion. The flu virus incubates for between 18 and 72 hours, experts say. The length of time a person is contagious depends on the age of the person. Sick adults can spread the flu for three to seven days after symptoms begin. Kids can be contagious for longer than a week.

If you’ve got the flu and must go out, stay three feet away from other people. Don’t kiss anyone. Don’t hug or even shake hands. Most importantly, cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you’re sneezing or coughing — and then throw those disgusting tissues in the trash. If you are in a health care facility ask where they would like you to discard your tissues. Also ask for a mask to use while you are waiting. A mask will protect both you and others.

If there is not tissue handy, many people feel that if they cover their mouth with their hand they will avoid spreading the flu. That is true ONLY if you wash your hands every time after sneezing or coughing into them. Some people prefer to simply turn their head to avoid sneezing or coughing on someone else. This is better than spraying someone directly with the body fluids propelled from your nose and mouth. Consider another option — start coughing and sneezing into your elbow. At least then you don’t have to worry about transmitting the flu on door knobs, and other similar places touched by everyone in public areas.

Avoid crowded places, particularly where someone is coughing or sneezing. Don’t eat at buffets, where someone may have infected the salad bar. If you are sick, have someone else go to the grocery store or post office for you.

Wash your hands often. Water temperature doesn’t matter as much as scrubbing thoroughly with lots of soap. Keep your hands away from your face. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can infect yourself. Remember that even though you are practicing good “respiratory hygiene,” you cannot know that others are as well. Someone with the flu may have coughed or sneezed, covering his mouth with his hand and then opened a door. You go through that same door, touching the doorknob. Then you touch your nose or mouth. Guess what!! You just infected yourself. Don’t share phones, cups, straws, pens and pencils, etc. with someone who is sick.

If you get the flu, take care of yourself. Get eight to ten hours of sleep to help your immune system fight the flu. Drink lots of liquids to avoid dehydration. As recovery occurs, be alert for complications. If you feel better, then relapse with a new round of coughing, chest pain or fever — get checked for secondary infections.

A flu shot or mist is the best tactic. Watch for flu clinics in the community. Ask your doctor about the flu shot for you.