Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Prevent passing disease causing germs..IT'S EASY


The winter season has officially begun. With that in mind, so is flu and cold season. If you have been vaccinated by the flu vaccine, you may still contract the flu virus but suffer lesser symptoms. The flu and cold virus have a strong exterior membrane that allows the virus to survive for a long period of time on dry surfaces and still be virulent enough to cause illness.

The first and proven line of defense of preventing the spread of germs is to simply wash your hands.  To ensure you have washed the germs from your hands sing the "Happy Birthday" song. In the time it takes to sing the song you will have thoroughly cleansed your hands. Remember to scrub under the fingernails.

Our hands pick up any germs the skin comes in contact with; an object or handshake. By touching any surface with your hands you have now picked up micro-organisms  lining the surface of that object. Your eyes, mouth, and nose are lined with fragile mucous membranes. They are an easy way for microbes to enter the human body and cause infection. Mucous membranes are like a dry sponge soaking up water. The microbes I am referring to are viruses and bacterium.

The power behind the human sneeze has been recorded at greater than 100 mph.  An uncovered sneeze can propel mucus membranes saturated with disease causing germs clear across a room. The ventilation within the room will aid in further spreading of the mucous membranes and microbes.  Any one around will then be exposed to your germs. Either by inhalation or by touching an object the germs has settled upon.

Always, always cover your sneeze with your the bend of your arm: sneezing into your elbow.

Be cognizant of your actions. Wash your hands frequently. Carry hand sanitizer. Cover your cough. Cover your sneeze. Practicing these very simple acts of hygiene will keep yourself and fellow human  counterparts healthy!

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
www.nurseinsagent.com
drugstore.com, inc.