 |
What's the best way to prevent a cold?
 |
 |
 |
FEND OFF COLD & FLU
Help Keep Your Family Healthy This Winter
Runny noses, sore throats, sleepless nights — they may all seem inescapable this cold and flu season. While you can't run and hide, you can take the right steps to help keep your family healthy. You just have to be prepared. First, know the difference between a cold or flu, then learn how to stop them in their tracks.
Help Spot & Prevent the Cold and Flu
Cold and Flu Prevention |
Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. |
|
Get enough sleep.
During sleep, your body's immune system goes into high gear to protect you from illness. Lack of sleep can reduce immune functioning making you susceptible to sickness. |
|
Drink more water.
In the fall and winter, it is easy to overlook your thirst and get dehydrated. Make sure you consume 8 glasses a day. |
|
Wash your hands frequently to keep cold and flu germs from spreading.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Your kids need to wash their hands for at least 30 seconds to effectively kill germs. Kids can measure the time by singing "Happy Birthday" song twice. |
|
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Teach your children to avoid spreading cold and flu viruses by coughing into the crux of their elbows, instead of into their hands. |
|
|
|
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. |
|
Disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home.
From the faucet to the doorknob to the toys your kids play with, the surfaces they touch are often breeding grounds for colds and flu germs. One of the most important ways to protect your family and stop viruses dead in their tracks is to disinfect commonly touched surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipe, such as those made by LYSOL®. |
|
Consult with a doctor.
If you're running a fever, please visit your doctor. Talk to the doctor before your family gets sick. He or she can advise you whether to get a flu shot and which over-the-counter medicines to have on-hand should someone start to feel sick. |
|
|
For more information on cold and flu, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
 |
 |
LYSOL® Kills
the Flu Virus*
Use LYSOL® to kill 99.9% of cold and flu viruses and bacteria on common household surfaces like doorknobs, telephone receivers, countertops and more.
*LYSOL® spray and LYSOL® wipes kills 99.9% of germs on hard surfaces when used as directed |
 |
|
|
Cold and Flu Prevention Tips from a Trusted Pediatrician
All parents worry about their children's exposure to germs during cold and flu season,
but a recent survey by the Global Hygiene Council found only 23 percent of Americans were concerned about their children coming into contact with potentially harmful germs at home. 1 During cold and flu season alone, 59 percent of surfaces in the home can be contaminated with the flu virus, 2 which can survive for more than 48 hours . 3
Pediatrician Jim Sears, co-host of the new TV show "The Doctors," has a few simple tips for parents to help keep their families and homes cold- and flu-free this year.
LEARN MORE >>
Sources:
1 2008 Global Hygiene Council Survey
2 CDC statistic
3 "The Occurrence of Influenza A virus on Household and Day Care Center Fomites"; S.A. Boone, C.P. Gerba, Journal of Infection, 2004
|
|
|
