The problem is that most cold and flu viruses are acquired from asymptomatic people in the incubation phase, and airborne viral infections are generally also difficult to contain. This makes it difficult to minimise exposure to these viruses.

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However, some of these general measures may reduce the chances of infection with cold and flu viruses:

In the office

• Wash you hands frequently and do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth unnecessarily.
• "Contain" sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues (and make sure to dispose of them right away!) and wash your hands afterwards.
• Try not to unnecessarily touch objects around you when in public places - such as the rail of the escalator, your coughing colleague's pen or computer mouse, etc.
• To minimise exposure, avoid close contact and prolonged time with people with colds and flu. With an incubation period of 1 - 4 days, and a contagious period of 7 days, or possibly longer, it is best to avoid any person with flu for at least 7 days. One infected person in a lift, bus, aeroplane, school or army barrack can quite quickly infect the rest.
• Take a vitamin A or beta-carotene supplement to protect the inner, mucous linings of the respiratory tract.
• Quit smoking. Those who smoke are more vulnerable to complications of respiratory infections.

At home

• Wash you hands frequently and do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth unnecessarily. Teach your children to wash their hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after touching their noses, after spending time in a crowded public space and after touching animals.
• "Contain" sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues (and make sure to dispose of them right away!) and wash your hands afterwards. Teach your children this habit.
• Drink lots of fluids and take a vitamin A or beta carotene supplement to protect the linings of your respiratory tract.
• Clean surfaces - especially kitchen and bathroom tops - with a disinfectant soap.
• Quit smoking.

Your child

• Discourage you child from sharing food, utensils, handkerchiefs, napkins and towels with classmates.
• Toys may be contaminated with respiratory secretions. Look for childcare centres where plastic toys are washed daily and stuffed toys washed weekly.
• Avoid close contact and prolonged exposure to people with colds. It is best to avoid any person with flu for at least 7 days. One infected person in a house, crèche or school can quickly infect the other occupants.
• Rather keep your toddler at home if a child at the crèche has the flu and yours is still healthy. Similarly, keep your child at home if they show symptoms of flu to avoid infecting other children.
• Ensure that the daycare personnel handling your baby or toddler place a new cloth over their shoulder every time they hold a different baby. This is important!

Reviewed (2006) by Dr Jane Yeats MBChB, BSc(Med)(Hons)Biochem, FCPathSA(Virology).

Read more:
Flu and breastfeeding
What is the flu vaccine?
Over-the-counter medication?

 

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