Healthy Habits
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There are easy things we can all do to help prevent the spread of disease. Make it a habit to wash your hands, cover your cough and keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth!
Good Hand Washing
An easy thing you can do to keep yourself and others healthy is to wash your hands. Germs can easily be spread from person to person or from person to things (like doorknobs and money) to person. Illnesses like colds, the flu, and infections from fecal matter can be very serious – protect yourself by washing your hands, well and often. Good hand washing is more than just running your hands under water - learn good hand washing techniques (and tricks for kids!) here.
When you cough or sneeze, you should use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose and then immediately throw the tissue in the waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue available – cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve – NOT into your hands. And always follow up by washing your hands or using an alcohol based hand-cleaner.
Other Healthy Habits
Other things that help prevent the spread of disease include:
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Keeping your hands away from your eyes and mouth. Germs can enter your body this way and make you sick.
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Getting your flu shot! Find out more about the Seasonal and 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Flu Vaccinations.
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Staying home when you are sick. If you or your child have a fever, flu-like symptoms, vomiting or diarrhea it is important that you stay home to avoid getting others sick. Call your doctor if you have any concerns about your symptoms.
And, as always, don't smoke, eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep!
If you would like more information on Healthy Habits, please contact Kris Magnussen, Supervisor, Communicable Disease Prevention.
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