Keep Colds & Flu
Away From You!
...and Others, too!
DO...
-
Wash your hands frequently, preferably with an antibacterial soap.
- ...between classes, before eating, after handling body secretions, and
always before you rub your eyes or touch your face.
-
Cough or sneeze ONLY into your sleeve, at the bend of your elbow.
- It's simple: Place your left hand on your right
shoulder. Then sneeze into your sleeve.
- Nurses and doctors are
taught this technique.
-
Carry disposable paper tissues with you to wipe or blow your nose.
- Put a couple of paper facial tissues in your pocket or
purse every day. Replace them daily.
- This
should become a regular health habit,
like brushing your teeth.
-
Dispose of used paper tissues in an appropriate receptacle.
- If you place a used paper tissue in your pocket, remember
to throw it into a trash container as soon as
possible. Don't keep germs in your pocket!
DON'T...
- Forget to wash your hands frequently.
- Touch your face.
- Place objects such as pens and pencils in your mouth.
- Bite your fingers or fingernails.
- Wipe your nose with your hand or fingers.
- Cough or sneeze into your hand or into the air.
HERE'S WHY:
- Hand washing is the single most important means of preventing
spread of infection.
More illnesses are transmitted by germs that get on hands than by airborne
droplets.
- Respiratory viruses in the environment....on desks, computers,
telephones,
tables....get on your hands first, and then get into your body when you
touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- If you cough or sneeze into your hand, the objects you touch
afterward
will be contaminated and can transmit your germs to others.
- If you fail to block your cough, germs are released into the air,
and can
settle on a variety of surfaces. Remember that some germs can survive on
common objects for several days!
Written by Carol Mulvihill, RN-C, Director of Health
Services,
University of Pittsburgh/Bradford, 1999.
Return to Student Health Service
Menu
Return to Connections Quarterly Main
Menu