Preventing the Spread of Flu

Vaccines are one of the best ways to prevent the flu and avoid spreading it to people at high risk of flu-related complications. Good health habits can prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu. Flu viruses spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near another person. They may also spread when people touch something covered with infected droplets and then touch their eyes, mouth, or nose. Here are things you can do to prevent the spread of flu:

• Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Stay home if you are sick. If you have flu-like symptoms (fever plus a cough or fever plus a sore throat), stay home from work, school, or child care until you have been fever-free (temperature less than 100.4ºF/38ºC) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

People who have the flu can spread it to other people one day before they become sick and up to seven days after they develop symptoms.

Keep it Clean

Flu viruses can live outside the body for up to two hours. These germs spread when someone sneezes or coughs and touches something that contaminates a surface. You can prevent or contain the spread of these germs by following these tips:

• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Throw away tissues and other items used by the sick person. Wash your hands after touching used tissues or other trash.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately. These items should not be shared without being washed thoroughly.
• Wash linens (bed sheets and towels) in regular laundry detergent. Dry them on the hottest setting the fabric can tolerate. Avoid “hugging” dirty laundry before washing it to prevent spreading the germs. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel after handling dirty laundry.