Very simple measures can prevent you from contracting many infectious diseases and from giving infections to others.
- Maintain all your good health habits of adequate rest, nutrition, exercise and stress management.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Practice good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth when coughing and disposing of tissues appropriately.
- Stay away from people who have contagious illness like the flu.
- Stay home when you are contagious, in order to avoid spreading the illness.
- If you have been in contact with someone with a contagious illness, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose until you have cleaned your hands.
- Handle foods safely.
- Keep household surfaces clean and disinfected.
- Keep your pets healthy and wash hands after contact with pets.
- Avoid contact with wild animals.
- Keep immunizations up to date.
Citations
- "Safer, Healthier Home." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases. National Center for Infectious Diseases in partnership with Reckitt, Benckeiser, Inc. www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/docs/oop_poster_eng.pdf.
- "The 'An Ounce of Prevention' Campaign. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 2008. www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/.
- "Preventing the Flu: Cover Your Cough." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 2007. www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm.
- "Good Habits for Preventing the Flu." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 2006. www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm.
Created: 7/31/2007
Last Modified: 8/4/2008