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Cold and Flu Prevention Tips from Scottsdale Healthcare

A Few Simple Steps Can Go A Long Way In Protecting Yourself

By Keith Jones

After a long, hot summer we're now enjoying cooler weather. But cooler weather brings with it the annual cold and flu season. With seasonal flu and H1N1 looming, and colds just waiting to be caught, now is the time to guard against catching and spreading germs. A few simple steps can go a long way in protecting yourself, your family and others from illness.

Get Your Seasonal Flu Shot

Jack Applefeld, M.D., medical director of critical care at Scottsdale Healthcare, encourages adults and children to get their seasonal flu shot. "We want to reduce the number of seasonal flu cases and protect as many people as possible," Applefeld says. "Everyone needs to stay tuned for information on the H1N1 vaccine and follow guidance from county and state health agencies."

Practice Hand Hygiene

"Frequent hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent catching or spreading germs," says Patty Gray, a registered nurse and infection prevention specialist at Scottsdale Healthcare who serves on the state's Infection Prevention Advisory Committee.

Gray stresses that hands should always be washed after covering a cough or sneeze, or blowing your nose. Make sure you and other family members scrub with soap for at least 15 seconds when washing hands. Alcohol-based hand gels may also be used. Hands should be rubbed together until the gel dries.

Observe Respiratory Etiquette

Flu viruses are primarily spread through the coughing or sneezing of an infected person. That's why it's important to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. "Try to cough or sneeze into a tissue if possible, or cough into your sleeve," says Gray.

Avoid Close Contact

Avoid contact with others who are sick, and keep away from others if you are sick. Like it or not, that means you or family members should stay home from work, school or other activities--especially visiting hospitals--if you are ill. "This will help protect others from getting sick, as well as help you recover," Gray adds.

Hands off the Face

Droplets from a cough or sneeze of someone with a cold or the flu can move through the air and contaminate surfaces. If you touch something contaminated with germs, then touch your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands, the germs may spread.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Gray recommends making sure you and your family eat healthy, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep to keep your immune systems strong. Don't forget to exercise and manage stress.

Plan for the Unexpected

Make sure you have enough vacation time accumulated in case you become ill or have to stay home to care for sick family members. Establish backup childcare plans in case of provider illness or facility closings.

For updated information on seasonal and H1N1 flu, visit the Maricopa County Department of Public Health at www.wearepublichealth.org or the Arizona Department of Health Services at www.azdhs.gov. Scottsdale Healthcare also provides flu information on its website, www.shc.org. Current ER wait times are updated every three minutes at www.fastERtimes.org.

Keith Jones is director of public relations for Scottsdale Healthcare, the locally-based not for profit parent of Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.