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Don't let yourself fall ill for the
holidays |
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December 21, 2011 |
By Laura Whalen, Director
Panhandle Health District
Holidays are the time to spread joy and not
illness to friends and family. Parties and
celebrations bring people together in close
quarters where food is open to many hands, so
take precautions to prevent yourself from
becoming sick or making others sick.
Some highly contagious viruses such as
norovirus, an acute gastrointestinal illness, or
the flu, a respiratory ailment, spread quickly
during the winter when people spend more time
indoors and close to others.
Although it is not the flu, people often refer
to norovirus as the stomach flu because of its
symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.
It’s highly contagious and spreads from person
to person through contaminated food or water and
by touching contaminated surfaces.
Most people get better within a day or two, but
dehydration can become a problem with young
children, the elderly and people with other
illnesses. Washing hands thoroughly and often is
the best protection from norovirus.
The flu virus, which causes a respiratory
illness, spreads through the air and through
contact with contaminated surfaces. Germs can
live for hours on hard surfaces such as
doorknobs or cell phones. Washing your hands
well and often will help you prevent those germs
from spreading.
If you have cold or flu symptoms, you can
protect others by coughing and sneezing into
your sleeve or into a tissue and then depositing
the tissue into a trashcan and washing your
hands. Stay home when you’re sick to help stop
the spread of your germs.
Staying at least three feet away from other
people with flu-like symptoms will help prevent
their germs from reaching you.
If you’re the person giving the party, make sure
you keep cold foods at 41° or below and hot
foods at 140° or above to prevent food-borne
illnesses. Place the cold food on ice and refill
the platters with food stored in the
refrigerator. Foods should not be left out for
more than two hours.
Wash your hands and preparation surfaces well
when preparing food and before eating. Following
a few simple precautions can help ensure a happy
holiday for you and your family. |
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