Common sense to avoiding germs is the best approach, such as not sharing sport bottles or drinking from friend’s glass or pop can. The Center for Disease Control [CDC] recommends the following:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay away from an ill and contagious person until 24 hours after their fever has broken. Their fever should be completely gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine [i.e. Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, etc.]
- Wash your hands OFTEN! Use lots of soap and scrub by counting to 15 slowly before rinsing with water. If you do not have access to water, alcohol-based hand cleaners and disposable wipes [antibacterial] are effective—rub hands vigorously until hands are dry. [Note: Be prepared and purchase several alcohol-based hand cleaners to carry in your book bag, jacket pocket, purse, car, and keep at your residence hall room or work desk.]
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth—this is how the germs are spread.
- Practice good health habits to keep your immune system strong—get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy nutritious foods.
Be prepared at home or in your residence hall room so you do not have to go out when you are sick and contagious. You should have your room stocked with a thermometer, box of tissues, and over-the counter meds that help you with flu symptoms such as fever, nausea, and diarrhea. [Note: You might also keep on hand a box of crackers, tea, and perhaps a bottle of ginger ale or 7-Up.]
If you sneeze or cough cover your mouth with a tissue or use your elbow sleeve. If you have a roommate make sure they know this is important to do to help stop the spread of germs.