Stop Germs, Stay Healthy During Holidays

Visiting friends and family is a thoughtful thing to do this time of year-but remember to think about health. "If you're sick, please stay home," says Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. "And even if you feel healthy, remember to wash your hands before giving grandma a hug. Diseases such as colds, flu, or norovirus can spread easily at this time of year, especially in retirement communities, schools, crowded stores, and other places where people live or work together in close contact."

Three important ways to stop germs and stay healthy this holiday season include:

Washing hands frequently and thoroughly

Covering coughs and sneezes

Staying home when sick

Hand-washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases at any time of year. Hands should be washed with soap and running water for 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Keep your hands away from your face and especially avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Appropriate times for washing hands include:

Before preparing or eating food

After going to the bathroom

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom

Before and after tending to someone who is sick

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After handling an animal or animal waste

After handling garbage

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After touching surfaces in public places or surfaces that might have been touched by someone who is sick

Another important way to prevent spreading illness is to cover coughs and sneezes by coughing and sneezing into your arm, not your hands. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, you risk spreading illness if others touch the surfaces you touch.

If you are sick, please stay home. This will help prevent the spread of disease while letting you get the rest you need. Seek medical attention if needed. If you have the following symptoms, contact your health care provider to determine if you should seek medical attention:

Bloody diarrhea

High fever

Persistent cough

Unexplained rash

Norovirus and other forms of gastroenteritis are common at this time of year, and can easily spread in college dormitories, cruise ships, retirement communities, and other locations where people are in close contact with one another. Gastroenteritis causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Infants and elderly persons who contract gastroenteritis, especially those with chronic medical conditions, are at increased risk of rapid dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. In addition to frequent handwashing, the spread of gastroenteritis can be prevented by:

Carefully washing fruits and vegetables and steaming oysters before eating

Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces with bleach solution - cup bleach per gallon of water

Immediately washing clothing or linens that may be contaminated with stool or vomit