Whether you are trying to avoid the seasonal flu or more serious diseases, practicing good hygiene and following simple precautions can help keep you and your family healthy. After all, contagious diseases such as colds, the flu, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, mumps, measles, rubella, smallpox or chicken pox, can be spread by coughs, sneezes, handshakes or just touching surfaces that are contaminated with tiny droplets from a person’s nose or mouth.
Follow these guidelines to limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when sick. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Wash hands often to help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
- Follow your doctor’s guidance on vaccinations.
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