Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
3 ways to ward off the flu
Although the swine flu is spreading quickly around the globe, health officials are reminding people of the basic steps they can take to keep themselves and their families healthy.
Simple steps -- the ones your mother told you about -- are the most effective, said Dr. Roger Case, Island County health officer.
"You've seen that TV ad where they've got the little green germs on everything? It's kind of funny but very real -- computer keys, door knobs, carts in grocery stores," he said. "Those things spread disease way more than almost anything you can think of."
No cases of swine flu have been reported in Washington. Nationally, there are 66 cases, most in New York City, but people also have been stricken in California, Texas, Ohio, Indiana and Kansas. Mexico, where the outbreak began, has been hit the hardest.
Health officials are asking everyone to not take any chances.
1) Wash your hands.
Yes, it's important, Case said, and perhaps far more so than many people realize.
Hospital studies show that one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is proper hand washing.
Far too many people don't wash their hands long enough, he said. How much is enough? Sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" from start to finish. That's long enough. Feel a little foolish singing to yourself in public? Just think of the tune as you wash.
2) Cover your cough.
Use a tissue to cover your cough or cough into your shoulder or sleeve. Why is this important? Coughs can spread germs to people up to six feet away.
"Your hands aren't good enough," Case said. "Touch something and it can spread disease."
3) Stay home if you're sick.
Sure, it's hard to do, Case said, especially in a tough economy.
"All it's going to take is some really bad results from a bad flu bug, then people will admonish those who come to work ill. They'll say, 'Get out of here.'"
"It's extremely important" to stay home from school or work when you're ill, he said. You'll help break the chain of contagion.
"If you don't, it just goes on and on and on."
Simple steps -- the ones your mother told you about -- are the most effective, said Dr. Roger Case, Island County health officer.
"You've seen that TV ad where they've got the little green germs on everything? It's kind of funny but very real -- computer keys, door knobs, carts in grocery stores," he said. "Those things spread disease way more than almost anything you can think of."
No cases of swine flu have been reported in Washington. Nationally, there are 66 cases, most in New York City, but people also have been stricken in California, Texas, Ohio, Indiana and Kansas. Mexico, where the outbreak began, has been hit the hardest.
Health officials are asking everyone to not take any chances.
1) Wash your hands.
Yes, it's important, Case said, and perhaps far more so than many people realize.
Hospital studies show that one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is proper hand washing.
Far too many people don't wash their hands long enough, he said. How much is enough? Sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" from start to finish. That's long enough. Feel a little foolish singing to yourself in public? Just think of the tune as you wash.
2) Cover your cough.
Use a tissue to cover your cough or cough into your shoulder or sleeve. Why is this important? Coughs can spread germs to people up to six feet away.
"Your hands aren't good enough," Case said. "Touch something and it can spread disease."
3) Stay home if you're sick.
Sure, it's hard to do, Case said, especially in a tough economy.
"All it's going to take is some really bad results from a bad flu bug, then people will admonish those who come to work ill. They'll say, 'Get out of here.'"
"It's extremely important" to stay home from school or work when you're ill, he said. You'll help break the chain of contagion.
"If you don't, it just goes on and on and on."
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