Take some simple steps to keep you and your family healthy this flu season:
- Wash your hands frequently: Approximately 80 percent of common infections like the cold and flu are spread by hands. Hand washing, when done correctly, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases..
- Get a free flu shot and get it as early as possible: Through your family doctor, participating pharmacies or public clinics. Visit http://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts for more
- Cough and sneeze into your arm: If a tissue isn't available, cough or sneeze into your arm avoiding your hands where infections are commonly spread.
- Avoid touching your eyes and face: Flu germs can live on surfaces for up to 8 hours.
- Don’t share personal items such as drinking cups
- Do the fist bump instead of shaking hands
- Stay home when you are sick: if you have the flu, avoid going to school so you don’t spread the flu to others.
Dr. Jim Downey, Infection Control Practitioner at Toronto East General Hospital says “the flu is not something to take lightly; one in every six Canadians is affected by the flu annually and it can put you out of commission for seven to ten days.”