Monday, November 19, 2012

By Barbara Pronin We may be coming into the season of giving, but one thing nobody wants to give – or get – this winter is a a sneezy, runny-nosed, hacking-kind-of-cough-inducing cold. While there are no guaranteed ways to avoid colds or flu, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reminds us there are simple precautions everyone can take to minimize the spread of disease at home and in the workplace:

Practice good hygiene – Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer is a good way to avoid contamination from counters, desks and other hard surfaces we touch many times a day- and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze keeps viruses from becoming airborne. For maximum family protection, be sure your kids know and follow these rules as well.

Get a flu shot – Vaccination is probably the best way to bypass the flu. If shots are not available in your workplace, they are available free or low-cost at local flu clinics everywhere.

Stay home when you are sick - Cold and flu symptoms may include cough, fever, chills, runny nose, headache, body aches and sore throat. One person infected with influenza has the potential to infect many other people for up to five days after their symptoms begin. If you or your kids experience cold or flu symptoms, it is important to stay home to avoid spreading disease to others.

• Stay at home and get plenty of bed rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Ask your doctor which medications might be appropriate for you.

If you absolutely cannot avoid going to work or school while you are sick, avoid large gatherings and meetings. Try to use telephone and e-mail correspondence rather than face-to-face contact with co-workers.

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