The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Here are some tips from the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website to try to prevent the spread of the flu.

1. Avoid close contact – Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick – If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose – Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands – Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits – Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

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For more information on how to prevent spreading the cold and flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect.

What’s the big deal about Super Bugs anyway?

Well, up to 50% of people who acquire the ‘Super Bug’ infection in their bloodstream die.  Even more, the virus can actually transfer it’s resistant traits to other bacteria, making other virus’ a ‘Super Bug.’

Image Courtesy of: http://nutritionreview.org/2014/07/spread-of-drug-resistant-superbug-increase-five-fold-in-southeastern-u-s/

Basically, Superbugs are disease-causing bacteria that have become resistant to most antibiotics by developing resitance genes, from mutation and ‘trading’ genetic material with other bacteria. This is due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics. These highly contagious bacteria are known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

How Can I prevent the Super Bug?

The best thing you can do is keep your hands clean! 

The virus spreads through the fecal-oral route so never, ever compromise hand washing! Wash your hands as often as you can, and be sure to carry hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean when washing them isn’t an option.

Is the Super Bug in the United States?

Yes, it is. It’s also prevalent in China, Greece and India. Recently, it was reported that the Superbug has increased fivefold in hospitals located in the southeastern US.

To sum it up, wash your hands and use hand saniztizer often!