Don’t give colds and flus to family and friends
Have you ever received a gift you didn’t want? While some of us may have a few presents hidden away in back closets, all of us have undoubtedly received unwanted colds and flus from family, friends, and co-workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC – www.cdc.gov), 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and 36,000 people die.
But there’s an easy way to prevent getting—and giving—these illnesses: Washing your hands frequently. Celebrate National Hand Washing Awareness Week, which is the first full week in December, by following the CDC’s recommendations for when to wash your hands:
- Before and after eating
- After going to the bathroom
- After changing diapers or helping a young child in the bathroom
- After coming in contact with vomit or other body fluids
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- Before and after treating an injury
- After touching animals or animal waste
- More often when someone around you is sick
To wash your hands effectively, use warm water and soap, lather the whole surface of your hands, and rub for 20 seconds before rinsing and drying thoroughly.