Keep immunizations up-to-date:

Preventing Infectious Diseases
  • Follow recommended immunizations for children and adults.
  • Remember, pets need their shots too!!
Use antibiotics only for infections caused by bacteria:
  • Antibiotics are not useful in trating infections caused by viruses.
  • Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Complete the full course of treatment.
  • Never self-medicate with antibiotics or share them with your family or friends.
Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School:
How germs spread:
  • Illnesses like colds and flu are spread through coughing and sneezing. This is called "droplet spread,"
  • This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are breathed in by people nearby.
  • Sometimes germs can also spread when a person touched surfaces where respiratory droplets have landed and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose.
  • Some viruses and bacteria can live several hours or longer on surfaces like tables, doorknobs, telephones and desks.
How to stop the spread of germs:
 Take care to:
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect then from getting sick, too.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, use your upper arm.
  • Clean your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. You should wash your hands:
  1. After using the bathroom
  2. Before preparing food or eating
  3. After changing diapers
  4. After blowing your nose and/or using hands when sneezing
    or coughing
  5. After caring for a sick person
  6. After playing with or handling your pet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth unless you have just washed your hands.

If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer may be used.