Cooler days are here, and with children back in school, flu season is just around the corner. So far, health experts say this year promises to be one of the worst ever. There are flu shots, vaccines, OTC medications and herbal and natural vitamins and concoctions that can maybe help you, but there is no 100 percent guarantee when so many bugs are floating around.
Every time my husband and I fly, and I hear someone sneeze or cough, I instantly freeze my breathing for a few seconds – like that would do some good!
The flu virus, which can live for two to eight hours on surfaces, is spread by either direct or indirect contact, such as sharing drinks, or when an infected coworker sneezes on his or her hands and touches an object like the lunchroom microwave door or your keyboard.
So, since you can’t know when the shopper standing beside you is going to sneeze or cough, or if the last one using the cart you just grabbed had the flu, being prepared is the best line of defense you have.
That means being aware of the common places where the flu virus is lurking. At the top of the list are keyboards and phones at work, schools, playgrounds and malls, but those are not the only susceptible places. Highlighthealth.com has a list of the top 10 places cold and flu germs hide on its blog, which are:
• Handshakes and kissing
• Sponges and dishcloths
• Restrooms
• Doorknobs
• Drinking fountains
• Shopping carts
• Elevator buttons and escalator handrails
• Office workspaces
• Gas station pump handles and keypads
• Airplanes, subways, and buses
Three points to remember during flu season: 1) If you come in contact with something, so do other people, so it probably has germs; 2) keep your hands clean; and 3) get vaccinated.
Germ Zones
There are many “germ zones” harboring the flu virus. Most indoor public playrooms have sanitizer wipes near the door of the play area, but there still might be one that doesn’t, so just pack your own and be sure to wipe, wipe, wipe! It won’t help if some unsuspecting child sneezes on Johnny while zooming down the large blue tube, but it will prevent the indirect contact of the previous child that left the remains of their flu bug.
The mall and grocery store carts are germ magnets. The toy store, elevator buttons (which children love to push), escalator handrails and public restrooms are prime spots for the bug to lie in wait. Just be sure to carry those wipes!
Wipe down the shopping cart seat and handle, and if you use a fabric shopping-cart cover, wash it after every use since it can also be a germ haven. As for mall surfaces, the best thing to do is to sanitize everyone’s hands often.
As far as the airplane goes, there is not much you can do if you are sitting beside an infected passenger. If there are some empty seats, you can ask to move; however, that is a slim chance these days. Instead, just turn away from the person as much as possible, and watch what you touch.
Daycares and doctors’ offices are also prime targets for the flu to carry out its attack. Since you can’t control what your child touches while he or she is at daycare, ask about the hygiene practices of the teachers and encourage the cleaning of toys frequently. At the doctor’s office, be sure to give you and your child a pump of sanitizer upon leaving the office.
Finally, yet importantly, is home. As protected from the outside elements as you are in your own environment, it is a great place to catch the flu since your family can bring the virus home from work or school. Be extra cautious with infants and toddlers since school-age siblings are a major source of infection among families.
Again, get as many in your household as possible immunized. If someone does get sick, try to keep him or her away from everyone else. Since pens, pencils, phones, television remotes and the computer are common ways to spread the flu at home, disinfect often. Finally, teach your family to wash their hands frequently, sneeze and cough into their elbow instead of their hands, and throw away used tissues.