RESPIRATORY CROSS-CONTAMINATION
RESPRIRATORY CROSS-CONTAMINATION; COLDS, AND FLU
How do we "Spread Germs?"
Ever watch a smoker slowly exhale a relaxed breath?
Notice how the smoke curls, and inches its way across the room?
Your breath travels the same way as it leaves your body- you just cannot see it.
Imagine a room full of smokers casually exhaling.
Soon there is no area of the room without smoke.
Now imagine you are exhaling during a cold or flu.
Your viral-laden breath travels through the room in the same way you observed the smoker’s breath.
During Contagion, the body manufactures excess fluids which contain virus and bacteria.
Sneezing spreads germs in a 14 foot arc; Coughing 7-10 feet. It’s easy to visualize how viruses can spread so quickly.
If you are not avidly trying to contain the spread of contagion; then you are actively spreading contagion.
DO NOT SHARE YOUR BREATH !!!
DO NOT SHARE ANOTHER PERSON'S BREATH !!!
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.
How can we avoid sharing breath?
Stay several feet away from anyone with sniffles, coughing, sneezing, sore throat- symptoms of URI. (upper respiratory infection)
Even outside- If you are talking in a breeze; you can be infected.
Wear a respiratory MASK if you MUST share space.
WIPE HORIZONTAL SURFACES that are contaminated by breath several times a day.
{telephones, microphones, desk, table, and counter tops]
As we begin a new year, we find ourselves in the midst of a continuous respiratory outbreak.
Fluctuating temperatures have caught our immune systems unaware… Let’s see what we can do to stop that.
Be Proactive – Don’t allow invasion of pathogens.
Observe the THREE LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION- Don’t Cross Levels
1. Knee to Floor- Pathogens carried by moving feet.
2. Waist to Knee- Pathogens engendered by peri-rectal area.
3. Above Waist- Pathogens spread by droplet infection.
For instance: Never put your purse on the floor.
Don’t wipe tables with the same cloth you use to wipe chairs.
Don’t put hands near your face when handling money.
*One of the most glaring cross-contaminations is with improper use of gloves during commercial food handling.*
WASH YOUR HANDS- both front AND Back- OFTEN!
IF YOU’RE SICK- DON’T SHARE IT- STAY HOME!!!
Stay away from others while you are contagious.
YOU ARE CONTAGIOUS IF YOU HAVE EXCESS MOISTURE IN YOUR SINUSES !
YOU ARE CONTAGIOUS IF YOU ARE COUGHING OR SNEEZING!
It’s a common mistake to assume that you are no longer contagious if you are on antibiotics.
Antibiotics do not clear viral infections !
If you are coughing, sneezing, or have runny secretions – you are contagious !
DON’T SHARE CAR RIDES WITH SOMEONE WHO IS SNEEZING OR COUGHING.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Listen. Your friends and relatives are dying. The only way to avoid infection is to be proactive.
Ban close contact until you are well.
Adults are quite susceptible to Children’s pathogens!
* Wash your hands many times a day like a zealot- Front and back.
(Lather for at least 30 seconds. Clean your nails.)
*Keep your hands away from your face. Keep your tongue in your mouth.
*Cough or sneeze into a tissue, your collar, or your sleeve elbow. ALWAYS!
*Isolate your toothbrush; wash it with soap and water after each use.
*Sleep with a pile of pillows between you; or change sides to breathe away from your partner.
*Spray non-porous surfaces with Lysol, 60% Alcohol, Vinegar, until surfaces are wet.
(counters, telephone, faucets, toilet seats, door handles, light switches)
*Spray where you sit and sleep.
*Don’t hug or kiss the kids or your partner.
*Don’t share drinks.
*Use the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher; Hot water in the washer.
*DON’T SHARE BREATH ... THAT MEANS NO HUGGING !
YOU ARE TRYING TO STAY WELL !
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.
Herbs that Help
ELDERBERRY [capsule, tincture, or syrup form.] The Israelis researched and utilized this treatment for influenza years ago.
Find recipes for tincture and syrup on my website. Kids can use this too.
Brand name Sambucal in stores. Take this when exposed during "catchy season" from October to March.
ECHINACEA- Throughout the season; from October to March
GOLDENSEAL – Alone or with Echinacea in seven day courses.
OSCILLOCOCCINUM [Homeopathic remedy] At first sign of cold or flu.
If you usually get a scratchy tickly throat or if you sneeze several times – this is your first sign! If you are near others who are coughing or sneezing- take a dose of ocillococcinum. You can purchase this in Walmart and keep it on hand. It really works! By the way... One of the most contaminated places
I can think of is the Cold Remedy Isle. Why? Because the folks visiting there are coughing , sneezing, and handling all the boxes and bottles there!
Don't purchase the first item on the shelf- Others have handled this.
MUSHROOMS Any kind, but especially shiitake, maitake and reishi, and Lion's Mane
in foods or supplement form- 5 times a week to uplift immunity through the winter.
GARLIC- Equivalent of 1-2 Cloves per person per day in food or capsule form. Elevates your Immunity.U
PROTECT YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE
YOU CANNOT BE "TOO PARANOID."