
Kelly Rose
Editor
Kelly Rose
Editor
Flu has a significant impact on businesses, resulting in time off work, losses to production as well as pressure and costs on the health and social care services. Dr. John Hanlin, vice president global public heath, Ecolab, offers tips to help reduce the risk of spreading the seasonal flu.
Wash your hands frequently
Proper hand hygiene / hand-washing is essential to preventing an influenza contamination. Proper hand-washing helps remove most bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, so they can’t be spread to others. The European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) recommends the following:
Avoid others that are sick & stay home yourself when sick
For the flu to be transmitted the virus must go from an individual who has contracted the flu virus to another person, who can then become infected. Individuals who have contracted the flu virus are contagious at least one day prior to displaying symptoms, and up to seven days after they first appear. You can reduce the risk of this sort of transmission through social distancing by avoiding others who are sick and staying home yourself if sick.
Clean & disinfectant surfaces
The flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues. Proper cleaning and disinfecting can minimize the chances of individuals contracting the virus from a contaminated surface. To properly clean, disinfect and protect your environment:
Get the flu vaccination
Getting a flu vaccine and taking antiviral medications as prescribed if you do contract the flu are two ways the ECDC advocates stopping the spread of flu germs. The flu vaccine is one of the most effective forms of protection against seasonal flu.
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing
Coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue helps protect others. If you do have seasonal flu and do not cover your nose or mouth a person or persons with two meters can be infected.
Wash your tableware thoroughly
Eating utensils, dishes and glasses should all be thoroughly washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and dishwashing detergent.
For more information visit http://en-uk.ecolab.com/pages/INST-EU-Seasonal-Flu-Page
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