Since were on the topic, lets talk hand washing and how important it truly is for you and your child’s health. A number of infectious disease including respiratory infections, such as influenza and gastrointestinal infections, such as salmonella, can be spread from person-to-person. Some of these infections can cause serious complications especially for young children, the elderly and immune compromised individuals. Washing your hands is the number one Defense against the spread of these infections.
Here are a few tips to help keep your family safe this Flu season….
When to wash your hands
- Before eating
- Before, during and after handling raw and cooked food
- After using the toilet and/or between diaper changing
- After working in the garden
- After touching garbage
- After handling animals and their food
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- Before eating (I mention this twice for a reason)
How to wash your hands
The CDC recommends in 5 easy steps:
1) Wet- your hands
2) Lather- Any type of soap. It doesn’t need to be antibacterial
3) Scrub- for at least 20 seconds
4) Rinse- your hands
5) Dry- Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door in a public facility
Other ways to protect during Flu season
- Cough and sneeze into your arm not your hands
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when you cant get to a sink
- Stay home if you’re sick with a fever or gastrointestinal symptoms
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Eat a well balanced diet and supplement with Immune boosting vitamins
- And for those who can…Get the Flu Vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
