FACT: The flu virus can live on surfaces for days.
During the cold winter months, your family will be spending more time inside. Being in the house together can create an environment where it's easier for germs to spread. Learn the facts, like what causes colds and the flu, and the best ways to help prevent the spread of germs in your household. Keep your family happy and healthy all season.
A major cause of the common cold is rhinovirus, which is primarily transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces or other people's hands and then touching your eyes and nose. According to the Visiting Nurse Associations of America® (VNAA), more than 100 types of rhinoviruses cause problems year-round, but especially in the early fall months when school is back in session they can spread much more easily.
Influenza, also called the flu, is a contagious acute viral disease of the respiratory tract. The flu typically spreads through airborne droplets produced by cough and sneezing, but can also be transmitted through direct contact with germs, just like colds.
Many people confuse a cold with the flu, and vice versa, because they are both respiratory illnesses-but they are actually caused by different viruses and require different treatment.
The flu is an infection of the respiratory system that is caused by the influenza virus. In general, it is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme fatigue, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu and are caused by many different viruses. People with colds are more likely to have a stuffy or runny nose. (Source: CDC)
Got these symptoms?
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Low fever or chills (occasionally)
Help Stop the COLD
Drink lots of liquids (hot or cold) to keep nose and throat from drying out
Ensure lots of bed rest
Use saline nose drops
Got these symptoms?
Sudden fever (101 or higher)
Cough (sometimes dry)
Achy muscles
Headache
Sore throat
Chills
Fatigue
Help Stop the FLU
Give a fever reducer/ pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
Drink lots of liquids to prevent dehydration
Ensure lots of bed rest
Source: California State University, Long Beach, www.csulb.edu
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through the coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick."
To learn more about cold and flu prevention, please see the Cold and Flu Prevention Guide for complete details. LEARN MORE>
Use LYSOL® to kill 99.9% of Cold and Flu* viruses and bacteria on commonly touched items like:
Doorknobs
Toilet Handles
Telephone Receivers
Countertops
Faucets
Light Switches
High Chairs**
Plastic Toys**
*LYSOL® spray and LYSOL® wipes kills 99.9% of germs on hard surfaces when used as directed ** Rinse all direct food contact surfaces thoroughly with potable water after disinfecting
Source: Looking After You and Your Baby
Disinfect Where Germs Live
LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray can be used on the hot spots throughout your home. Unlike other sanitizing products which only kill bacteria, LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray even kills nasty viruses that can cause illnesses such as the flu and the common cold.
Even when you don't have a lot of time to clean up, you can easily disinfect surfaces with LYSOL® Disinfecting Wipes- just a few quick swipes will kill bacteria in your home.
You can still ward off illness-causing germs when you're on the go with the help of LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray To Go, a compact travel size disinfectant spray. It's perfect for use in public restaurants and bathrooms, hotels, and gyms.
Germs spread most easily through hand-to-hand contact, so stress the importance of regular hand washing to your family. Wash hands before every meal, after using the bathroom, and after touching doorknobs or railings in public places. Always wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to eliminate most germs.
When water isn't readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Try LYSOL® Healthy Touch™ Gentle Hand Sanitizer Foam, it is gentle enough for the whole family.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand sanitizers can help remove germs and reduce the risk of colds and respiratory illnesses.
Try to steer clear of other people who have colds or the flu-close contact with them is the easiest way to become ill. Talk to the parents of your kids' good friends to find out if they're already sick. If they are, have your kids skip their regular play dates and scheduled outings for a week or two.
Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent infections that lead to colds and the flu.
Get plenty of rest. Fatigue can reduce immune functioning, making you much more susceptible to sickness.
For some people, getting a flu shot can be an essential precaution. Young children, adults over 60, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions are encouraged to get the flu vaccine. Ask your doctor or find out more on the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov.
According to Pediatrician Jim Sears, teach your children to wash their hands frequently to help kill the viruses and bacteria they may have collected. Have them use regular soap and warm water to scrub their hands - including the back of their hands, in between fingers and under nails for 20 seconds.
Pediatrician Jim Sears also recommends to stock up on items such as tissues, vitamin C, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray. Keep them in one handy place to make illness prevention even easier.
See a complete list of cold and flu prevention tips from Pediatrician Jim Sears.
Newsletter- Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy - ©2010 Reckitt Benckiser. All rights reserved.
