There is no better defense against disease than prevention. Experts agree that the best form of prevention starts with washing your hands with soap and water for 25 to 30 seconds. Here are some other tips for avoiding illness:
– Be careful about transferring germs from your mouth and nose to hands. If a handkerchief isn’t handy, sneeze into your sleeve or armpit. Wash your hands after any contact with your nose or mouth, especially if it’s cold or flu season.
– Alcohol wipes are great companions for parents with small children. Alcohol kills bacteria on contact but leaves no residue to help breed supergerms.
– You might wince, but University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba said that doing the wash is a dirty job, particularly in terms of fecal matter. Gerba said using bleach cuts the hazard in half. Always scrub thoroughly after the laundry and before heading to the kitchen.
– If you are suffering from a cold, avoid shaking hands with others. Be up front about it. People will appreciate it, and there is hope that those same folks will reciprocate when they have the cold.
– Be wary of working with any raw protein foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs. Keep these items and related cutting boards separate from other foods you are preparing.
– Reintroduce yourself to “elbow grease.” Studies show that friction is the key ingredient for washing hands.
– A number of natural household cleaners are now marketed to consumers who want to avoid harsh synthetic chemicals. Microbiologists say that alcohol, chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide are proven disinfectants but that more research is needed to prove the benefits of various natural ingredients, including vinegar, citrus oils (especially lemon and grapefruit) and tea tree oils. Some users already are convinced by the results in their homes, including fewer sick days for the family.