Did you ever notice that colds and flu spread like wildfire? How many times have you heard, “The flu is going around the office/dorm/school?” It’s not your imagination. This if cold and flu time — but there are a few simple steps you can take to stay healthy, as well as things you can do to feel better and avoid spreading germs if you do get sick.
On average, between 5 percent and 20 percent of people get the flu, which is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Here at Temple, that translates into upward of 9,000 cases of the flu every year. Even more people develop common colds, which are minor upper-respiratory infections.
So how can you avoid coming down with flu or colds?
The five steps to prevention
The single most effective prevention measure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is getting a flu vaccine. However, there are also five simple steps you can take every day of the year to avoid infection:
1. Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based gel.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
3. Stay away from people who are sick.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
5. Get regular exercise, get enough rest and eat healthy, balanced meals.
Is it the flu or a cold?
Both are respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Special tests within the first few days of illness will tell if a person has the flu.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are common and intense. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, also can occur but are more likely in children than adults.
Colds are usually milder. People are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Most colds do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.
If you get sick, don’t spread it
Stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick, and get plenty of rest. Check with your healthcare provider if the symptoms last more than a few days.
Remember: Keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. Viruses mainly spread from person to person through the coughing or sneezing of people with flu or colds, or by people’s touching something with viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
You are contagious beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
If you get sick, here are five ways to help yourself feel better:
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid cigarette smoke and alcohol
• Get plenty of rest
• Use a humidifier, and
• A cough or cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.
By preventing the spread of germs that cause the flu and common colds, you have a good chance of avoiding the lost time and cost of treatment and recovery.
Written by Joshua Rosenzweig as part of an ongoing series of health and safety articles aiming to raise awareness among Temple University employees, faculty and students about a range of health and safety issues. The initiative was developed by Temple’s Health and Safety Awareness Committee, comprising members from across the university community. For further information on Colds and Flu, please contact Employee Health at 215-204-2679. If you have other health and safety questions, concerns and/or suggestions, please contact the Health and Safety Committee at healthandsafety@temple.edu.