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Prepare for Flu Season Before It Begins

September 10, 2018

Before flu season even begins, it's a good time for us to review how we can combat the spread of infection.

The month of October marks the beginning of flu season, which hospitalizes up to 300,000 people each year in the United States. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates influenza season will be above average in the number of confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infections.

Before flu season even begins, it's a good time for us to review how we can combat the spread of infection.

  1. Utilize extra cleaning resources while the building is occupied. Flu viruses can live on some surfaces for up to 24 hours. Bringing in extra help to clean while the building is unoccupied has no benefit.
  2. Use EPA-registered disinfectants to frequently disinfect high-touch areas such as door knobs, drinking fountains, etc.
  3. Don't waste resources on disinfecting surfaces where the transmission of the flu is unlikely to occur. Floors and walls are good examples of surfaces in public facilities of this.
  4. Wash your hands! Encourage everyone to promote hand hygiene, and ensure they have enough hand sanitizing stations. Proper hand hygiene is the most important step in stopping the spread of viruses.
  5. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine, by the end of October if possible.

Along with influenza A, the late fall and early winter months are also a time for increased cases of Norovirus (aka the stomach flu.) Use Hillyard QT-TB® or Hillyard Q.T.® 3, both EPA-registered disinfectants, which offer lower required contact times to disinfect for these disease-causing viruses.

For more information concerning influenza, norovirus, or information pertaining to other disease-causing organisms, contact Hillyard Technical Service at 800-365-1555.

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