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1/23/2005 Cold and flu season are in full swing. Each year 5% to 20% of Americans get the flu. Usually about 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications from the flu.
Rose Stoia EdD,RD shares a lot of information to help us fight the flu bug! There are some specific nutrients that directly affect your immune system. The first, and most important, are calories and protein. Most Americans get ample calories and protein, unless illness or poverty prevails. Certain vitamins and minerals significantly impact immunity. The minerals are iron and zinc. The vitamins are folate, vitamin C, E, B6 and B12. Eating recommended levels of fruit, nuts, whole grains and vegetables supply adequate amounts of these nutrients for most healthy adults.
Even the healthiest individuals can succumb to the flu or a cold occasionally. Here are some tips that will help you to decrease the risk of infecting yourself or others:
-Wash hand often.
-Get vaccinated.
-Stay at home if you have symptoms of an infection.
-Practice safe food preparation techniques.
-Disinfect kitchen surfaces, bathrooms and door handles.
-Use disposable tissues, not hankies.
Clean hands are one of the SIMPLEST, LEAST EXPENSINVE, AND YET, MOST EFFECTIVE ways to stop the spread of disease. Hand washing has been cited by health professional, as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of flu, colds and infectious diarrhea. Still, a very small percentage of the population of the United States practices this simple ritual, as often as they should. If you doubt me, stand in a public restroom and count how many people take the time to wash hands before leaving. The American Society of Microbiology found that up to one-third of those passing through major U. S. airports did NOT wash their hands after using the restrooms. Yuck!
Take a moment to review proper hand washing technique:
1. Wet your hands with warm, running water. Apply clean soap. Lather thoroughly. (Anti-bacterial soap need not be used unless you have an open cut or sore on your hands or your immune system is impaired.)
2. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Cleanse all surfaces and backs of hands, wrists (push watches and jewelry up out of the way), between your fingers and under fingernails. (Be sure to rub between your fingers -A PLACE MOST PEOPLE FORGET.)
4. Rinse will with clean water.
5. With water STILL RUNNING, dry with a clean or disposable towel. Turn off water with disposable towel.
6. Use disposable towel to touch bathroom doorknobs.
I hope that I won't bore you when I make a list of the MOST NECESSARY times to wash hands:
-Before eating
-After using the restroom
-After changing a diaper
-Before preparing food and after touching raw meat or eggs
-After touching animals or animal toys and utensils, or animal waste
-After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
-Before and after treating cuts or sores
-Before and after touching a sick or injured person
-After touching garbage or waste
And, while I am nagging about 'germy' things remember to keep your food preparation/eating area clean. If a health inspector were to come to your home and inspect for germs on your dish towel, kitchen sink, refrigerator door handle, cutting board, what would be found? A thing may LOOK ever-so-clean but be covered with ever-so-many microorganisms.
Many germ-covered items enter food preparation areas. Often, people drop a purse, brief case, book bag, sweater, etc., on the kitchen table or counter. Consider the OTHER surfaces these items have rested upon. Grocery bags, canned goods, raw meat, fish, poultry and eggs, are all sources carrying a host of germs.
Once a day, disinfect all kitchen surfaces and eating areas. Today's stores offer many pleasant smelling disinfectants. Two inexpensive disinfectants found in most households are bleach and ammonia. Read labels for thorough disinfecting techniques. Once a day, disinfect dish cloths, bottle brushes, pot scrubbers and dish pan, if such are used. Wipe sink, range top, microwave door handle, refrigerator door handle with disinfectant. Let dishes air-dry as it is the most sanitary way. The use of sponges is discouraged, as they are very difficult to keep germ free.
The recent invention of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has been a boon to us all. However, not all waterless hand sanitizers are created equal. Only the type containing alcohol can kill bacteria and viruses that cause disease. These alcohol-containing waterless hand sanitizers are more effective than water and soap hand washing in killing bacteria and viruses.
Read the label on proper use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Apply the correct amount to your hands, rub your hands together until dry, covering all surfaces of your hands, wrists and between fingers. If your hands are visibly dirty, apply the sanitizer, wipe off dirt with a tissue or paper towel and then apply again.
Keep hand sanitizers in your car, in your purse or briefcase, book bag, or any place where you are frequently eating, which is not near soap and water. Take them camping, hiking, boating, to outdoor activities, and/or places where soap may not be available.
Keeping hands clean does not take much time or effort. But the dividends far out weigh the effort exerted.
Written by: Rose Stoia EdD,RD
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