Coughing, sneezing, hugs and handshakes
Published Saturday October 31st, 2009
It's once again cold and flu season. There are many questions that arise every year about how to prepare ourselves for the onslaught of strains, whether it be increasing our use of vitamin supplements, getting vaccinations or even strengthening our natural immune systems by making lifestyle changes.
No proper discussion about the spread of colds and flus would be complete without addressing the importance of personal hygiene and respecting one another's space.
There has been much written on the topic recently and there are precautions all medical professionals and moms agree on.
The primary way flu spreads from person to person is through droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it's important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, sleeve or shoulder, not into your hands.
It's important to wash hands thoroughly and frequently. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
At business meetings, where handshaking is expected, take the time to sanitize or wash your hands thoroughly. Keep acquaintances at a safe distance from your face. The life of a virus is very fragile and must have specific environments in which to survive. Human skin, specifically the nasal passages, are ideal.
This season is a wonderful time for friends and family to come together for a variety of festive occasions. Because air circulation is limited due to closed doors and windows, diligence in hygiene is critical.
Keep kitchen counters, door knobs and telephones clean.
If you have people coming over for dinner, make every effort to ensure food is not subject to contamination. Information on the subject is readily available online and from health-care facilities.
Carefully wash hands, pots and pans, dishes and countertops with soap. Pay attention to freshness dates on food you are using to prepare dishes. Most of us have experienced some form of food poisoning, stomach flu and indigestion. No one wants to be the source of such illnesses.
The H1N1 virus is not something to take lightly. This is an unusually virulent virus. Most doctors recommend that people who are at high-risk should receive this vaccine. This is an important decision that should be made with your physician. If choosing not to be vaccinated, you must take extra precautions to avoid exposure to the virus. More importantly, you must be especially careful not to put others at risk. This may mean limiting physical contact with other people. A health-care professional can best provide recommendations.
Many people are concerned about hugging and shaking hands during this time. My advice is to be careful but not obsessive. Employ common sense. Fist bumping, for example, is not a substitute for a handshake. Carry hand sanitizer in your purse or pocket. Men may consider using handkerchiefs and everyone needs to carry plenty of tissues. The use of handkerchiefs is only sanitary if they are washed and changed often.
Tissues should be disposed of directly after use. Some tissues are even available infused with lotion to prevent chafing or irritation.
People who have problems with chronic coughing and sneezing must be especially cautious. If you find yourself on a coughing or sneezing jag, you must excuse yourself and move away from people, preferably going to a washroom until the episode passes.
We are all more aware of the dangers of the flu during this season. Let's make changing our relaxed hygienic habits a high priority. This is respect in its most raw form. It is an opportunity to make the extra effort to show respect to loved ones and everyone around you including yourself.
Jay Remer is certified by the Protocol School of Washington as a consultant for corporate etiquette and international protocol. He lives in St. Andrews. Email your etiquette questions to jay@etiquetteguy.com and visit his website at www.etiquetteguy.com.
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