August 15, 2014 | 2 minute read
No one ever wants to get sick, and to rephrase it, no one ever wants someone in their family to get sick – especially if it is contagious. Getting colds or flu may only seem like the least of your health worries, yet these illnesses can take its toll on anyone in your family or even on you! Don’t wait until someone sneezes and gets the flu the next day before you take any action for you and for your loved ones.
Here are some tips to keep colds and flu at bay.
1. Hand-washing is a survival skill.
Yes, a simple activity such as hand-washing can do so much when it comes to preventing bacteria and viruses from penetrating into your system. Washing your hands before you eat and after doing so can go a long way in ridding your hands of microscopic organisms that could possibly give you and your family catchy infections.
2. If you haven’t washed your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Think of it this way – your hands are ALWAYS dirty, unless you wash them thoroughly. So when you are aware that you haven’t cleaned them, avoid touching any part of your face. Your hands are the best carriers of microorganisms that could turn out to be harmful to the immune system.
3. Don’t share food and other things that are put in the mouth.
This pertains to toothbrushes and even drinking milk straight from the carton. The mouth is bacteria’s straight access to your system. That’s like giving diseases and illnesses a free pass to get to you. Teach this to your kids as well.
Dr. Cristy Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, APRN specializes in providing preventive care to the public. You may request a consultation with her by calling us at (702) 731-1200today. We look forward to hearing from you!