Attention all traveling physical therapist, speech language pathologist, and occupational therapist, here are 10 tips to help avoid the winter cold and flu.
- Bar soap is a perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Wash your hands frequently with liquid antibacterial soap instead of bar soap.
- Don't share drinking glasses. Instead, use disposable cups in the kitchen and bathroom, using each cup only once and then disposing.
- Use disposable tissues when blowing your nose; use each tissue once, throw it away then wash your hands thoroughly.
- Colds and flu are often spread by hand-to-hand contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after being exposed to viruses or bacteria.
- Bacteria and viruses can live on hand towels and sponges for hours. Use disposable paper napkins and towels in the kitchen.
- To kill bacteria and viruses, wash toys regularly in warm, soapy water.
- If you have to sneeze and a tissue is unavailable, sneeze into your shoulder not your hands to avoid spreading germs.
- Frequently clean surfaces such as stair rails, telephones, counter tops and doorknobs to avoid hand-to-hand spread of viruses.
- Germs remain in stagnant air; open windows when weather permits to circulate fresh air.
- Avoid smoking at home. Smoking is a respiratory irritant that increases susceptibility to viruses that cause colds and the flu.
Contact me Quincey Adger, at MDI Medical, Cirrus Allied Staffing.
http://aids.about.com/od/howtostayhealthy/qt/avoid.htm
