by Preetvy Ramasamy

Created on: December 19, 2011   Last Updated: December 24, 2011

To avoid getting sick this winter, there are quite a few simple rules to follow, though following them might be harder than the rules themselves.

Let us look at a common virus that sums up the process of contagion: the Influenza virus, or the flu, as it is more commonly referred to, may be transmitted among humans in three fairly similar ways:

Direct contact with infected individuals

Contact with contaminated objects

Inhalation of virus-laden aerosols

The first means of transmission would occur if one was to shake hands with an infected person who has been wiping his running nose with his hands or just politely coughing.

The second means happens in two steps : the infected person gets the virus on their hands by fiddling with their nose or mouth and then proceed to their daily tasks using objects that might be used by other people; anyone using those objects and then touching their nose or mouth will eventually get the virus into their body. According to the CDC, the Influenza virus can live between two to six hours on a hard object such as a book, table or door handle, so beware.

The third means of transmission occurs when an infected person’s cough is inhaled by a nearby person. Though this may seem unlikely or rare, it’s occurrence is quite frequent since air conditioning systems during the winter require closed spaces or more appropriately, volumes. This means that waiting rooms or relatively small rooms can provide a good medium of diffusion with only a few people coughing without covering their mouths properly.

Have you watched that movie Zombieland? It’s about an almost paranoid guy living by some well thought rules that avoid him getting killed by zombies. If you want to avoid getting sick during the winter, you don’t have to border paranoia, but in case you’re already there, it might help.

RULE 1

Don’t touch your face, any part of it!  That way even if you get into contact with the virus, you are very unlikely to catch it.

RULE 2

Avoid kisses and handshakes.  Yes , that can be rude to some people but there are plenty of ways to say hello. Some even find it cool to do the old army salute these days. Sometimes this cannot be applied, but most of the time it can.

RULE 3

If your hands have to go near your face – in the likely event you eat and drink too – wash them thoroughly first or use a cleaning hand gel. Thoroughly means all the spots. From my few years with the First-Aiders’

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