Chase Away the Flu
American Red Cross Flu Prevention Tips
by Tom Foley, ARC SEPA CEO
'Tis the season to be jolly," the song goes. But the spread of germs during the holidays usually makes the rest of winter a season of coughs, sneezes and sniffles. However, it doesn't have to be that way.
The American Red Cross has learned a lot about flu prevention since the great Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, the first local test of the two-year-old Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter. In two days, our chapter opened 32 emergency hospitals to care for all the sick, and supplied 67 other hospitals with volunteers and equipment. Despite this heroic effort, 13,000 people died in the Philadelphia area over a five-week period.
Now 89 years later, the threat of pandemic flu again is in the news, reminding us of our history, a history that we hope and pray will not be repeated. However, if medical disaster strikes, the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania can count on the American Red Cross, as ever.
Our families, friends and neighbors also can count on the Red Cross to promote the kind of good hygiene practices it teaches in its health and safety classes. The SEPA Chapter asks everyone to take an active role in preventing the spread of the flu, colds and other illnesses.
There are precautions you can take to reduce your chances of getting sick and spreading illness to others. Some of these - like basic hygiene - are very easy to do, and can make a real difference in keeping you and the people around you healthy.
Here are some tips for preventing the flu:
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Try not to use your hand to cover your mouth because you can spread germs when you touch other surfaces. Keep tissues on hand – for yourself and to offer to others who may be coughing or sneezing near you. Throw away used tissues as soon as possible.
- Wash your hands frequently. Hand washing is one of the easiest and best ways to prevent the spread of the flu and many other diseases. If possible, use antibacterial soap and hot water to kill germs. Scrub your fingers and clean under your fingernails.
- Use hand sanitizers. Keep a supply of alcohol based hand sanitizer gels on hand for yourself and others. They can be used when you can’t get to a sink. Antibacterial sanitizer towelettes can also be used to clean your face, hands and body.
- Keep surfaces clean. Germs are spread when a sick person touches surfaces, such as a doorknob or sink, and then someone else touches that same surface. Stock up on antibacterial wipes. Keep some in your car, home and office. They can be used in all kinds of places and on all kinds of surfaces. Use them in public places such as restaurants and public bathrooms, or anywhere a flu virus or bacteria may be spread.
- Avoid close contact. If you have the flu, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the illness to others. Likewise, if you notice that someone nearby is sick, avoid close contact with that person.
- Get a flu shot. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year. The elderly, children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions are most vulnerable, and should get annual flu shots.
- Maintain healthy habits. Smoking and excessive drinking can weaken the body’s ability to fight disease. However, cooking and serving nutritious whole foods, including foods with plenty of Vitamin C, as well as other fruits and vegetables and yogurt, can all help boost immunity to infections and viruses.
