Stopping Spread of School Germs
How Germs Spread
 The
main way that illnesses like colds and flu are spread is
from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and
sneezes. This is called "droplet spread."
This can happen when droplets from a
cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air
and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby.
Sometimes germs also can be spread when a person touches
respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a
desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose
before washing their hands. We know that some viruses and
bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like
cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
How to Stop the Spread of Germs
In a nutshell: take care to
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Cough or sneeze into a tissue and
then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not
have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time
you cough or sneeze.
The "Happy Birthday" song helps keep your hands clean?
Not exactly. Yet we recommend that
when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that
you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. That's about the same time it
takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice!
Alcohol-Based Hand Wipes and Gel Sanitizers Work Too
When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel
sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most
supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands
until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work;
the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.*
Photography by Evah Smit
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