Flu Season is Coming, Here Are Some Things You Should Know

Flu season is on it’s way, here are some things you may not have realized.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Oh, wait. No it isn’t. It’s flu season.

I’m a bit disapointed in myself that it took me this long in life to learn a few of these things, but it’s better late than never right? If you are looking to keep yourself healthy this flu season, take a look below.

You Should Stop Using Public Hand Dryers

I was yesterday years old when I learned this very important fact: You should be using paper towels to dry your hands and NOT the electric hand dryers.

What?? I totally thought using heat was a much better choice because I assumed that the heat was killing more germs.

Apparently not.

A study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology showed that your hands are actually DIRTIER then before you washed them. It’s slightly complicated but the basis is this: there is a ton of bacteria in a public bathroom just floating around, and when you add air in the mix, it blows it onto your hands. GROSS.

You Might Be Washing Your Hands Wrong

According to the CDC, you should:

1. Wet your hands first.
2. Lather your hands with soap making sure to hit the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. (This is the part most people get wrong – 20 seconds is longer than you think.)
4. Rinse.
5. Dry with a clean towel or air dry. (Notice they do not say a heated dryer??)

Don’t Get The Flu Shot Too Early – It Might Stop Working

The year we got hit with the flu really hard, it was late February. It seemed like everyone we knew was getting it! After that, we’ve been getting the flu shot.

But I didn’t realize that in those later winter months, I still may get the flu if I get the vaccine too early.

Peak season is usually January/February, yet people begin vaccination in August. By that time, your immunity may have started to wear down.

The suggestion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to wait until late October.

These are the 7 Germ-iest Places in Your Office

These are in order of dirtiest.

1. Break Room sink faucet
2. Microwave door handle
3. Keyboards (here there are up to 3,295 germs per square inch)
4. Refrigerator door handles
5. Water fountain buttons
6. Vending machine buttons
7. Desk surfaces (up to 10 million bacteria)

Keep a Lysol To Go in your bag and a pack of Lysol wipes at your desk.

I hope everyone stays clear of the flu and is heathy all year long! If you have tips and tricks, leave them below in the comments.

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Kids photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com | Background photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com | Water photo created by shayne_ch13 – www.freepik.com