 uring
the cold-weather months, we all have our favorite germ-fighting
strategies. Frequent handwashing and getting a flu shot are on top
of most people’s list, and they are a good place to start.
Here are some more suggestions—from Parenting.com and the
Centers for Disease Control—for  staying
healthy during the flu season.
Wash, wash, wash. It’s
your first line of defense. Wash your hands after using the bathroom,
changing diapers, handling garbage, before preparing food or eating,
before handling contact lenses, and as often as possible when you,
a family member or a coworker is ill. You’ve probably heard
about singing “Happy Birthday” twice so you wash long
enough. But it’s friction that matters even more. Scrub hard
enough to whip up some suds. And before you wash your hands, avoid
touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent any bacteria on your
fingers from getting inside your body.
Spot clean. Instead of trying to make everything
in your house look clean all the time, focus on high-traffic areas
where germs linger: telephones, doorknobs, light switches and computer
desktops. Pay attention to those areas at work also. Use paper towels
instead of bacteria-harboring sponges to wipe counters and bathroom
surfaces.
Read sanitizer labels. A hand sanitizer has to be
at least 60 percent alcohol to kill germs—so read the label
before you choose one. If you use a germ-killing hand wipe, toss
it after a single use. A new study has found that hand wipes used
in hospitals transferred bacteria from one surface to the next.
In public rest rooms, use a paper towel to open the door when you
leave.
Practice food hygiene. Bacteria can lurk on any food
surface. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Cook meat, poultry
and fish until juices run clear. Be aware that microbes thrive in
wet environments but will die when the water evaporates. So let
kitchen countertops, towels, toothbrushes and other surfaces dry
between each use.
Clean a cut. Don’t let wounds become passageways
to infection. Wash a cut thoroughly and apply an antibacterial cream
or spray. Germs can also get into the bloodstream through cracked,
dry skin. Use hand and body lotion, especially in the winter.
Boost your immune system.
The body’s natural ability to fight off infection is enhanced
by regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting good sleep.
Flu shots can beef up the immune system for specific viruses, and
studies have found that taking vitamin C can decrease a cold’s
duration among adults. 
Staying healthy during the flu season (click)
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