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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThe best way to prevent illness is also one of the simplest: frequent, thorough hand washing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available. However, it's not necessary to use antibacterial soaps. With proper hand washing, standard soap will kill germs just as well.
Try these tips to keep you and your children healthy:
- Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses, napkins, food or towels with others.
- Avoid touching public phones or drinking fountains with your mouth.
- Regularly clean telephones, TV remotes and computer keyboards with sanitizing cleanser. When you travel, clean phones and remotes in your hotel room.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay indoors as much as possible on high pollution days.
- Don't smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Humidify your home if the air is dry.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away.
- On a commercial airplane keep the air nozzle above you closed. The recirculated air can be a source of spreading viruses.
