Contacts:  Crissy Rowland 270-781-8039 ext. 120

                  Chip Kraus 270-781-8039 ext. 172      
                                 

Barren River District Health Department Reminds Public to Practice Good Health Habits to Prevent Spread of Flu

Bowling Green, Ky. (November 21, 2007) The Barren River District Health Department reminds the public to practice good health habits to prevent the spread of flu at home, work and school.

     “As the flu season approaches, we are urging residents to practice good hygiene habits, such as covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze and washing hands often,” said Mr. Dennis Chaney, Barren River District Health Department Director. “Colds and flu are often spread by respiratory droplets of an infected person landing on or coming into contact with those uninfected, and some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desktops. We all need to take basic precautions to avoid the spread of germs and viruses.”

     In addition to covering your cough and sneeze, other good health habits that can help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses are:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or by using alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches an object that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Get an annual flu shot to help the human body develop antibodies to protect against flu virus infection. (Contact your local health department).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
• Stay home from work, school and errands if possible when you are sick. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Remind children to also practice healthy habits because germs spread easily at school and in child care settings, resulting in high rates of absenteeism among students and staff in our country’s 119,000 schools.

     Flu is responsible for approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. While it is a serious virus, it is also a preventable one.

     For more information visit us at  www.barrenriverhealth.org .

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