Having returned from the holiday break, we want to remind staff and students of some basic measures that will reduce the chances of contracting colds and flu.  Please  review with your students the following tips.

Tips to Prevent a Cold and Flu.

1.  WASH YOUR HANDS

      Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact.  Someone sneezes or coughs onto their hands and then touches the keyboard, doorknob, and faucet.  Germs can live for hours-in some cases weeks—only to be picked up by the person who touches the same object.  Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm soapy water and lots of friction.   Use and alcohol bases hand sanitizer onto your hands if water is not available.

2.  COVER YOUR SNEEZES and COUGHS

     Avoid using your hands to cover your cough or sneeze.   Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue then throw it away immediately.  Follow with handwashing or hand sanitizer.

3.  DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE

     Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose or mouth.  Touching your faces is the major way children and adults catch colds.

4.  DRINK PLENTY of FLUIDS

     Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you.  A typical adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day.  How can you tell if you’re getting enough liquid?  If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you’re getting enough.  If it’s deep yellow, you need more fluids.

5.  GET FRESH AIR

     A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when heat dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses.  During cold weather more people stay indoors, which means more germs are circulating in crowded dry rooms.

6.  DO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLY

     Exercise increases the body’s natural virus-killing cells. 

7.  EAT A HEALTHY DIET

     Eat green, red and yellow fruits and vegetable, which are loaded with “phytochemical” -- super charged food.   Some studies show that eating a daily cup of low fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25%.  Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.

8.  AVOID SMOKING

     Smoke profoundly zaps the immune system.  Smoke dries out nasal passages and paralyzes cilia.  These delicate hairs in nose and lungs seep cold and flu viruses out of the nasal passages.

9.  RELAX

     There is evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action your interleukins-leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses-increase in the bloodstream.

Info from WEB MD- prevention of colds and flu

We are hopeful that these basic measures will help reduce illness and keep us all healthy!!

Resa Yamamoto, RN and Lily Thomson, RN  School Nurses
Port Angeles School District