As we have all heard, this year the flu virus is running rampant in almost every state in the nation, causing many people to take days off work due to illness and sometimes even hospitalization.
The seasonal wave of the flu virus begins hitting the nation as early as October, and often peaks in February, but can last as late as May. Typically anywhere between five to 20% of the United State population comes down with this dreaded virus each year.
Here are a few tips on avoiding the flu, and also how to care for those friends and family members that have become ill-
Deliver a Flu Basket. If you a friend or family member that is home suffering with cold and flu symptoms, a great way to reach out to them is with a ‘flu basket’. These special baskets can be hand delivered and left at the front door, along with a thermos of hot soup – letting that person know that you are thinking about them. Be sure to personalize the gift by adding a few basic necessities inside, along with some other items to help them feel better.
The following are a few ideas on what to add to the basket:
1. Tissues, hand sanitizing wipes, thermometer, cough drops and vitamin C drops are great ways to help get through difficult days.
2. Because winter air is very dry, giving some soothing hand or body lotion can be a much appreciated addition to a flu basket. Try looking for lotions with neutral scents, or something with lavender, as it is calming to the mind and body, which helps when someone is suffering with aches and pains.
3. Lip balms and scented hand sanitizers help to make people not only feel better, but also add a personal touch.
4. Word puzzles, adult coloring books and pencils or magazines can be a great gift for someone that is ill. Days on the couch seem long and these items can greatly help pass the time.
5. A box of tea bags and a nice mug, or a pair of warm, fuzzy socks are also great ideas to help someone that is sick to feel cozy during their days at home.
How to Avoid the Flu at Work
Even if you wash your hands regularly and try to be diligent with staying healthy, you must remember that fellow colleagues may not have the same hygiene habits this cold and flu season. Because of this, it may seem next to impossible to keep yourself away from others’ germs while at the office.
Here are a few ideas on how to try to stay healthy-
1. If you are sick with a cold or the flu, you are not doing anyone any good by going to work. Bringing your germs to the office is bad manners and puts everyone around you at risk. Do everyone a favor and stay home if you are feeling under the weather with a fever or bad congestion and are unsure if it is more than a common cold.
2. Wash your hands. Wash your hands often. When washing, be sure to use soap and warm water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It is also just as important to make sure that your hands are fully dry after washing them.
3. Keep surfaces clean. Germs lurk on all surfaces. These include places that you normally don’t even think to clean, like door handles, computer keyboards, purse handles and cell phones. Keeping Clorox wipes in your desk and frequently wiping down areas can kill microrganisms and reduce infection.
4. Cover your mouth. Always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. When coughing, the proper etiquette is not to cough into your hand, but instead to cough into your bent elbow area, keeping your hands free of germs. If you do not have time to grab a tissue when sneezing, be sure to use hand sanitizer afterward to ensure that the germs have been removed before you touch things.
5. Call your doctor. If you think that you might be suffering from the influenza, call your doctor’s office immediately. All offices have different rules and some may not want you in the waiting room exposing others. Make sure that you tell them your symptoms and ask what they suggest that you do for proper treatment.
Keeping Your Family Safe from the Flu
Chances are that if you have children in the house, you will have some form of germ infestation during the winter. The same children that refuse to share their toys will share germs faster than anyone else.
The following are a few tips to follow so that your house has a better chance this season from catching, or spreading the flu-
1. Clean frequently used areas. Make a daily sweep of the house, wiping down frequently touched areas such as door handles, remote controls, refrigerator doors and light switches with Clorox wipes that kill viruses. This will help with the spread of germs.
2. Wash hands after school. As soon as the kids come rushing in the door from a busy school day, send them directly into the bathroom to properly wash their hands. The warm bus is a perfect place for germs to be passed from child to child and it’s important to have your kids clean their hands as soon as they get home. It is also a good idea to wash their coats, hats and mittens frequently, as they are often touched by other children throughout playtime.
3. Change hand towels. If your family all uses one hand towel in the bathroom or kitchen, be sure to change it frequently. Although kids are taught to wash their hands, sometimes they do not wash as vigorously as adults and can still spread germs.
4. Keep them home from school. Even if you have an important meeting or something pending at the office, if your child has a fever or body aches and pains, keep them home from school. If the fever persists, or you are unsure on treatment, call the doctor and keep them isolated from other family members.
5. Make frozen hydration cups. If a child is frequently vomiting, or simply wont eat or drink, due to a sore throat, keeping them hydrated is extremely important. One great way to achieve this is by taking Dixie cups and filling them with blue Propel (the athletic drink), and placing them in the freezer. This gives the child something to suck on and has the nutrients needed to help keep them hydrated until they are able to take nourishment again.
Tips on Avoiding Flu During Travel
Traveling during the winter months means long boarding lines at the airport, but can also mean extra exposure to the flu and other germs. The following are a few tips to help you stay healthy while traveling this season-
1. Never touch your mother, ears or eyes. Sometimes we all have nervous tendencies, which can include biting your fingernails. Make sure to never touch your face with your hands while in public, even if you have a tremendous itch in one of your eyes or ear. These are all places where germs can enter the body, causing you to get sick. If necessary, find a restroom where you can wash your hands before touching your face.
2. Always carry your own tissues. Keep a small container of tissues for your purse or pocket, while traveling. That way, if needed, you know that only your hands have touched the tissues and are avoiding the person’s germs sitting next to you.
3. Carry hand sanitizer. Stores make hand sanitizer so easy to carry now with attachable handles for purses, briefcases or even belt loops. Make sure that you carry a bottle with you at all times and use it frequently, like every time your handle money, touch door handles or use a public restroom.
Nothing can fully keep germs away this season, but with a few helpful hints, tips and ideas, you can not only try to protect yourself, but also help those that are suffering to feel better when in need.
