Last week was a really bad time for me. I got the flu and spent most of the time in bed either sleeping or trying to sleep between coughing up my lungs.

It was extremely unpleasant and I’m very glad to be over the worst of it. As I write this post I am feeling somewhat nauseous but I will persevere. The reason for this post it to ask that if you are sick with something that is probably contagious, do us all a favor and stay home!

I know that many of you simply can’t stay home due to work but if you can then please put yourself to bed, cover your face with the blanket and stay there until you feel better.

Here are a few simple things you can do to help prevent getting some of those nasty bugs or stop it from spreading:

1. Wash your hands

Hand hygiene is important to reducing transmission of germs. Wash your hands with soap and water and make sure to dry your hands properly.
It’s important to wash your hands:

  • before and after you eat or prepare meals
  • after you have used the toilet or changed nappies/diapers
  • after you blow your nose, sneeze or cough
  • before and after taking care of someone who is sick ( I think this is why I got sick to begin with )

2. Have tissues, use them!

Bugs are usually spread through coughing and sneezing and live in the saliva and mucus in our nose and throat. When you cough or sneeze, you spray the nasty bugs in the air.
Be sure to use a tissue and wash your hands after. It is recommended to use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief as they can store viruses. If you don’t have tissues then the toilet roll is your next best option!
Don’t cough or sneeze over food, people, bench tops or the family pet. They won’t get sick but in my experience they don’t seem to like it. At least mine didn’t!

3. Respect the personal space

Don’t you just hate it when someone who is all snuffly and sneezing gets right in your face? You should stand or sit back from the infected person, one arms length is a good rule of thumb. I’d also give them a look that says, “seriously dude, get away from me“.

4. Keep it clean

Keeping your home and office clean is a good preventative measure.

5. If you are sick, stay home!

My personal favorite. If you are contagious (flu, cold, etc) make like a hermit and stay away from people, especially those who fall into these categories:

  • frail or have chronic disease
  • elderly
  • very young
  • pregnant
  • chronic lung disease

If you are at home sick and in bed reading this then congratulations, you probably stopped passing on your germs to work colleagues and family. Now put that blanket up over your face and go back to sleep.

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