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Hygiene Precautions

Hygiene tips to help keep you and those around you safe

Hygiene Precautions

The following general hygiene precautions should be followed to protect against the coronavirus – and for any virus:

 
  • Get a flu vaccine - CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications.
 
  • Avoid close contact - Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
 
  • Stay home when you are sick - Stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
 
  • Cover your mouth and nose - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Throw away used tissues when you are done and wash your hands.
 
  • Clean your hands - Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday" song twice). Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if you don't have soap and water. 
 
  • Disinfect common surfaces - Viruses that cause colds and flu can survive on common surfaces for up to 72 hours. Don't forget to disinfect phone receivers, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
 
  • Practice other good health habits - Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.