Tips to Prevent Spreading Infections This Fall

Implementing Preventive Measures Daily is Crucial to Avoid the Spreading of Infection

As people begin returning to school and indoor workspaces this fall, taking precautions to prevent spreading of infection is more important than ever. Below are some of the steps you can take to best protect yourself and others.

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is one of the greatest ways to lessen the chances of spreading infections. To properly wash your hands, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wetting your hands and applying soap. After this, thoroughly lather your hands and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Finally, rinse and dry with a clean towel or hand dryer. Hand sanitizer can al-so be used to kill germs in cases that you do not have access to soap and water, however, wash-ing with soap and water is most effective.

Cough Etiquette

To limit the spread of respiratory pathogens, the use of cough etiquette is important. To ensure you are practicing proper cough hygiene, remember to cover your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing. In addition to this, make sure to use clean tissues and dispose of used ones. Using personal protective equipment, such as a mask that covers both mouth and nose, is an effective way to help prevent the spread of infection.

Clean and Disinfect Surfaces

Regularly disinfecting and cleaning surfaces that are likely to be exposed to pathogens is an important part of preventing infection. To do this, you can scrub the surface with soap and wa-ter or use a cleaning product dedicated to disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces.