What are you doing to help not get the flu?

[Luvmyzoocrew]

PepnFluff wrote:

My Mum works in the "swine flu" building and what they're saying which would apply to any flu really is, WASH YOUR HANDS, don't cough into your hands -cough into your elbow. Use a tissue once and wash hands after. Also with the flu jab, basically its pointless as by the time its developed it's designed to attack the last strain of flu so not applicable to the new one......But don't make your home an ultra clean place because having a sterile house means theres also no good bacteria, which can help build up a defence Im quite happy that flu seasons over for us now. Bring on summer :biggrin2:

i think that is neat that we are getting ready for snow and freezing temps, hats, gloves and boots and others are getting ready for sun, beaches,and bikinis

 

[missyscove]

The number of suspected H1N1 cases on my campus is finally decreasing. We had at least 700 last I read.

They give out flu vaccines to students, faculty & staff every year. They had their first vaccine clinic on friday and gave out 2,000. I waited in line for an hour and was almost to the front but had to go catch my bus to PE class so I didn't get one.

My campus has also implemented a hand washing campaign. They have hand sanitizer available at the entrance to every building too.
We lost one student to H1N1 complications and they definitely stepped up the awareness after that.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

I got a flu shot last week. I had gotten one every year I was in the military. The first year after I retired I didn't get one and caught the flu 5 times. Since then I get a flu shot every year. When the H1N1 vaccine is available I will get that too.

 

[BethM]

The recent reports I have heard state that the H1N1 virus seems fairly stable, so far. Because of this, I am considering getting the vaccination for that when it becomes available. I am a few years above the suggested age range, but who knows, maybe my immune system is still capable of launching a cytokine storm.

Hopefully it won't be ridiculously expensive.

I will still be skipping the "normal" flu vaccination.

Other things I normally do to avoid picking up germs: I try not to use anyone else's phone, keyboard, computer mouse, etc.
When I have to use a shared/public toilet, I flush with my foot, never never touch the handle.

 

[mardigraskisses]

Stock up on NyQuil and Tylenol PM and hope for the best. :biggrin2:

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

mardigraskisses wrote:

Stock up on NyQuil and Tylenol PM and hope for the best. :biggrin2:

lol

 

[missyscove]

BethM wrote:

When I have to use a shared/public toilet, I flush with my foot, never never touch the handle.

The knowledge that other people do that always kind of grosses me out.
Once I went to flush the toilet and ended up with mud on my hand. You can imagine what I thought it was at first!
I live in a dorm and use the community bathroom down the hall, so I don't have my own toilet, but I see no harm in touching the handle considering I'm also about to touch the lock on the stall and wash my hands anyway.

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

missyscove wrote:

The knowledge that other people do that always kind of grosses me out.
Once I went to flush the toilet and ended up with mud on my hand. You can imagine what I thought it was at first!
I live in a dorm and use the community bathroom down the hall, so I don't have my own toilet, but I see no harm in touching the handle considering I'm also about to touch the lock on the stall and wash my hands anyway.

:roflmao:

 

[BethM]

missyscove wrote:

BethM wrote:

When I have to use a shared/public toilet, I flush with my foot, never never touch the handle.

The knowledge that other people do that always kind of grosses me out.
Once I went to flush the toilet and ended up with mud on my hand. You can imagine what I thought it was at first!
I live in a dorm and use the community bathroom down the hall, so I don't have my own toilet, but I see no harm in touching the handle considering I'm also about to touch the lock on the stall and wash my hands anyway.

I use a bit of paper to touch the stall lock, as well. Even though I do always head to the sink to wash my hands, I still refuse to touch the handle of the toilet. Although I like that you don't have to touch those automatic toilets at all, I prefer to leave the stall right asit's, flushing, because of aerosolization. Can't win.

 

[missyscove]

BethM wrote:

missyscove wrote:

BethM wrote:

When I have to use a shared/public toilet, I flush with my foot, never never touch the handle.

The knowledge that other people do that always kind of grosses me out.
Once I went to flush the toilet and ended up with mud on my hand. You can imagine what I thought it was at first!
I live in a dorm and use the community bathroom down the hall, so I don't have my own toilet, but I see no harm in touching the handle considering I'm also about to touch the lock on the stall and wash my hands anyway.

I use a bit of paper to touch the stall lock, as well. Even though I do always head to the sink to wash my hands, I still refuse to touch the handle of the toilet. Although I like that you don't have to touch those automatic toilets at all, I prefer to leave the stall right asit's, flushing, because of aerosolization. Can't win.

I've also grown to hate automatic toilets. They never seem to work anyway, and have you ever tried to change clothes in a stall with one? 10 flushes later I wonder what the other people in the bathroom must think is going on in my stall.

 

[SnowyShiloh]

I've always been really germ conscious, thanks to my mom who is a nurse. No, I don't keep a sterile environment, but I think it's foolhardy not to wash your hands regularly with a flu like this. I go to a university every day and starting next week I'll be spending several hours in a 3rd grade classroom. I'm just glad I don't work at the grocery store anymore (I was a cashier), I swear I got sick more when I worked there than any other time in my life!

Things I always do are wash my hands before eating or touching my face, wash my hands after going to the computer lab (keyboards and mice), use my wrists to turn water faucets off in the bathroom and for paper towel dispensers, and use paper towels to open the bathroom door. I often use my sleeve to open doors in buildings, but a big reason for that is that when it's 40 below 0, you don't want to be touching the handle of an exterior door with your bare hand! I also carry hand sanitizer with me but prefer to wash my hands because I think hand sanitizers can kill too many germs.

I guess I haven't really changed anything since this whole flu thing came about.

 

[BethM]

I read in my work's newsletter today that flu shots will be free this year, for those of us who: a) participate in the company insurance plan; and b) get the shot at work.
Since my main issue with the vaccination was the horrible cost to benefit ratio ($25, and I'll STILL get the flu????), I will probably sign up for it now. If I get the flu anyway, at least I won't be out any money for it.

 

[kherrmann3]

I don't do anything special during cold/flu season, and I normally don't get sick, either. I just let those germs in! I'd rather get sick and give my immune system a workout than make my immune system a sissy. Sometimes, I drink extra orange juice for the vitamin C. Being that I work at the nursing home, I have to have an N95 respirator mask fitted. It stays in my glovebox in case of an outbreak at the nursing home (I bring it in to work). I will be getting the flu shot this Friday (for free! Woohoo!). Old people have all the gross illnesses.

 

[SunnyCait]

With both of my jobs (one in a daycare, and one at a nursing home) I pretty much have to get the shot this year. I did last year because I worked at a nursing home, but any other times, I can't remember ever having one, except maybe when Tanner was a baby.

I got sick last year anyway, and probably will again. Winter comes I'm usually down for a week, then good to go. I rarely get sick.

Besides washing my hands and being careful around doors and toilets (I NEVER touch toilet handles), and minding where/how I cough/sneeze, I don't really *do* anything. And that's all the stuff I normally do even during the non-flu season.

 

[Brandy456]

Already had it.
So whatever I didn't do, the first time XD

 

[fuzz16]

Doubt I'll get the shot...waste of money. I've had the stomach flu once and then it never got to bad...only problem is my immune system is shot so it lasts 1-3 months when it should last a few weeks.

so hand sanitizer, holding my breath...and that sorta thing.