What is flu?
Flu germs infect people via the eyes, nose and mouth. They spread in droplets expelled through coughing and sneezing, or through mucus and nasal secretions left by dirty hands on surfaces, tissues and fabrics. There are many types of flu virus and, as they are constantly evolving, immunity from previous infections gives little protection.
What are the symptoms?
Expect a sudden fever, aching limbs and fatigue, sore throat, cough and possibly eye pains and runny nose, lasting in some cases up to seven days. This makes flu different from a cold, in which the symptoms tend to occur above neck level.
Who's at risk?
Anyone can be infected with flu, but the young, the elderly and others with reduced immunity are particularly vulnerable and may be eligible for vaccination.
Prevention is better than the cure
There are many ways to help prevent flu spreading. Most importantly, wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Always cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and wash your hands afterwards. Use disposable tissues for blowing your nose and dispose of them afterwards. A monogrammed cloth hankerchief may look great popping out of a jacket pocket, but hygiene dictates that's where it should stay.
Clean desk policy
Germs can live for a long time on surfaces. One germ can multiply into four million in just eight hours and each one can stay alive for up to three hours. So if you work in an office, keep a packet of Domestos Hygienic Wipes in a drawer and use them to clean your desk regularly.
Eating healthily and staying hydrated help keep your natural defences up. So for, example, make sure you get your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
In the home, use Domestos Bleach Cleaning Spray to zap hygiene hotspots – especially doorknobs, taps and switches, as these tend to be touched frequently by different people. Domestos Bleach Cleaning Spray ensures a hygienic clean, and minimises the risk of spreading germs.
