5 Ways to Prevent the Flu or a Cold

Here are five biggest mistakes you can make during flu season.

Mistake number one - not washing your hands enough. The Centers for Disease Control say that keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. You should pay special attention to any time that you've been out in public, touching doorknobs, after you
use the bathroom, any time before or after you eat, and before or after you touch a computer keyboard. And wash the right way. Scrub your hands with soap for about 20 seconds. Then using warm water, rinse thoroughly. Proper hand-washing is the most important thing you can do this flu season to avoid getting the flu.

Mistake number two - touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs thrive in warm, moist places. So do all that you can not to touch them when your hands are dirty. So remember - no touching.

Mistake number three - not getting enough rest. We should all be getting an average of eight hours of sleep. When you get less, it can make you more susceptible to disease.

Mistake number four - going to work or school when you feel sick. A lot of people are stubborn about missing work or school. But these settings put us close to people for extended periods of time.
Plus you'll stay sick longer if you don't get enough rest.

Mistake number five - coughing or sneezing into your hands. Best place to cough or sneeze is into your elbow and your sleeve. When you cough or sneeze, germs exit and can spread up to 6 to 10 feet.
Then make sure you wash them right away with a great, high-quality soap.

We can't guarantee that avoiding these mistakes will keep you from getting sick. But they will help. And always remember - make sure you wash your hands.