Preventative measures
Handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of infection. Simple prevention tips can stop germs in their tracks.
It is common knowledge that when a person is sick, they can spread their germs to others. But, did you know that you can be infected with an illness and not show any symptoms at all? During that time, you can still infect other people. This is why it is very important for everyone to follow simple infection prevention tips at all times, whether you feel sick or not.
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Tips to help reduce the chances of getting an infection or spreading it to others:
- Wash your hands often, especially after wiping your or a child’s nose, sneezing, handling used tissues, having contact with someone with a cold, before eating or preparing food, after changing a diaper, or using the toilet. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of 60%. Handwashing is particularly important before you eat. Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
- Use disposable gloves when handling blood and bodily fluids, when cleaning cuts and scrapes, or when changing a baby’s diaper in a daycare setting.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into your sleeve, if a tissue is not available. Throw used tissues into the garbage right away.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home, daycare, classroom, or office at regular intervals. (door handles, light switches, toys, diaper change areas, etc.) Toys that young children put into their mouths should not be shared until they are cleaned.
- Stay home when you’re feeling sick. It is important to stay home when you are feeling ill. This includes avoiding work, school, daycare, or extra-curricular activities.
- Keep toilets clean.
- Do not share personal items (hairbrushes, toothbrushes, towels, facecloths, utensils, cups, hats, headphones, razors, etc.).
- Wash school or daycare laundry using detergent and warm water. If you operate a daycare, the laundry can be sent home in a plastic bag to be washed.
- Limit contact with animals and control pests (insects).
- Follow guidelines on whether you or your child should be excluded from work, school, or daycare.
- Get vaccinated. Make sure that you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations and get the annual influenza vaccine.
- Avoid unnecessary close contact with others.
This item was last modified on March 9, 2020
