Getting a flu vaccine is good insurance for sure; however, it won’t always stop that nasty bug from putting many people I know in bed for three or four days. Even the healthiest people I know are susceptible. There is no 100 percent guarantee when there are so many bugs floating around in the air.
The flu virus, which can live for two to eight hours on any surface, is spread by either direct or indirect contact, such as sharing drinks, or when an infected family member or coworker sneezes on his/her hands and touches any object like door knobs, the television remote, 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.
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 this list of the top 10 places cold and flu germs hide on its blog:
• 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 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 lay 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’s not much you can do if you’re sitting beside an infected passenger. If there are some empty seats, you can ask to move; however, that’s a slim chance these days. Instead, just turn away from the person as much as possible, and watch what you touch.
Daycares and medical offices are also prime targets for the flu to carry on 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 frequent cleaning of toys. 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’s 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 the rest of you. 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 often, sneeze and cough into their elbow instead of their hands, and throw away used tissues.
Some information from cdc.com.