| There is currently a lot of information (and | | | | - Try to keep a polite distance from people. If |
| misinformation) out there about the H1N1 influenza | | | | you are a hugger (or someone tries to hug you), |
| strain. It is difficult to know whom to believe with | | | | it is best to keep your distance during flu season. |
| all the media trumpeting the infection (and death) | | | | However, a hug is actually better than a |
| rates, state by state. But, did you know that the | | | | handshake (see the hand-washing section above) |
| best source for up-to-date and accurate | | | | so try to choose the one that will be least |
| information is actually your local hospital! They will | | | | offensive and still offer you the best protection. |
| have all the local statistics, of course, but also the | | | | And not to sound too paranoid, but an enclosed |
| information that affects you and your own | | | | movie theater, airline passenger section or |
| community. Here are a few basic hospital tips | | | | classroom is not the best place to be during flu |
| about avoiding the H1N1 strain of influenza: | | | | season. A person who sneezes or coughs while |
| - Wash your hands, OFTEN. It seems so simplistic, | | | | infected and in an enclosed space can actually |
| but it is paramount to staying well. And how you | | | | infect dozens of others....with just one sneeze! |
| wash is as important as the frequency. Don't just | | | | - Eat a good and healthy diet, with an emphasis |
| rinse your hands under water; that will not be | | | | on fresh greens and fruit. There is controversy |
| enough to kill bacteria on your skin. You must use | | | | about whether or not vitamin C is really helpful, |
| an antibacterial soap, lather it up, and wash your | | | | but it certainly won't hurt, in small doses, and I |
| hands for at least 20 seconds to get enough | | | | find it makes me just feel better during the |
| germs off your hands to count. | | | | winter months, anyway. But, don't overdose; not |
| - If you are in a public restroom, don't touch | | | | only is that not healthy but you are wasting your |
| anything with your hands after you have washed. | | | | money as Vitamin C that you ingest is excreted |
| We who worked in the hospital field for years | | | | from the body, anyway. |
| learned how to do the restroom shuffle: you use | | | | - Drink LOTS of water, especially if you are in a |
| the paper towel to open the door, hold it open | | | | dry climate AND going to be in an enclosed area |
| with your foot and dispose of the towel | | | | (such as an airplane or classroom). Water helps |
| WITHOUT TOUCHING THE TRASH CAN, ON THE | | | | moisten all of your membranes making it harder |
| WAY OUT. If there is no can right beside the | | | | for germs to take hold and also just helps your |
| door, drop the towel on the floor after you open | | | | body to work more efficiently to combat germs. |
| the door. It is their problem if they don't know | | | | - If you use a computer every day, wipe the |
| that trash cans need to be right beside doors, for | | | | keyboard (and also your phone) with antibacterial |
| this reason. | | | | wipes, once a day. This is especially important if |
| - When you go to the grocery store, you should | | | | you share that computer and phone with anyone |
| actually use those antibacterial wipes they leave | | | | else. |
| beside the carts. Grocery store carts are | | | | In closing, nothing can guarantee your not catching |
| notoriously filthy, often having multiple layers of | | | | the H1N1, but if you are careful and sensible and |
| bacteria left from baby's diapers, children's noses | | | | follow the simple guidelines above, you will have |
| and mouths, bloody meat, etc. If you think about | | | | the best chance of staying healthy and well this |
| it, you will want to really wipe down the handle | | | | flu season. |
| and anything you touch on those things. | | | | |