Maintaining proper hygiene habits is important, especially when it comes to your little one. Every day, we come into contact with all sorts of situations and surroundings that may contain harmful germs.
Recently, there is a case of an infection at a school in Ipoh. A total of 79 students aged between 13 to 17 plus a teacher were found to have fever and cough. Four of those with cough were confirmed to have Influenza A(H1N1).
Although there is no guarantee that you can completely avoid getting sick, having good health habits can stop germs from spreading too far. Here are some steps that can help in preventing the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Avoid close contact
This applies for both people who are sick, and those who are not. If you are healthy, avoid coming into close contact with people who are sick. On the other hand, if you are feeling sick, it would be advisable to keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
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Stay home when sick
If you are feeling unwell, it would be better to stay at home and recuperate. If possible, avoid going to work, school, out on errands or any other public spaces. This will help to prevent spreading your illness to others.
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Cover your mouth and nose
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. This can help prevent those around from getting sick. Many respiratory illnesses like flu, whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are commonly spread by coughing and sneezing, as well as unclean hands.
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Clean your hands
Hands are the one part of our body that comes into contact with a variety of surfaces throughout the day. From doorknobs to lift buttons, all these objects have been touched by countless people in a day. Washing your hands often, especially with soap and water, can help to protect you from germs.
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Avoid contact with your eyes, nose or mouth
Our eyes, nose and mouth are the more vulnerable parts of our faces. The way germs are often spread are when a person touches an object that is contaminated with germs, and then proceeds to touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
That said, even if you practice all five of the above habits, it might not be sufficient. You also need to practice other good health habits in tandem for a more complete and wholesome preventative measure.
Maintain your health by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, and managing your stress. You also need to stay properly hydrated and eat nutritious food. If someone is in your family is ill, it is also a good idea to disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched in your home.
When in doubt after seeing symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat, get treatment at a clinic or hospital.
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