The stomach flu (or viral gastroenteritis) is an infection that is highly contagious and is responsible for millions of cases of diarrhea every year. Symptoms may include watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, as well as stomach cramps. The virus typically goes away after a bout of illness, but for those with compromised immune systems or infants and elderly people, it could have deadly results.
Instructions
1. Wash your hands for a minimum of 15 seconds. Do this often, as hand-washing is one of the best ways to kill gems that have been contracted through touch.
2. Rub a dime-size drop of hand sanitizer on your hands, and continue to rub until the product is completely absorbed. This is another way to keep hands germ free and is helpful when soap and water are not available.
3. Don't touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth. The mucus membranes are common places where germs can enter the body. Rubbing eyes or touching the mouth and nose should never be done in public, which is where germs are widely spread.
4. Don't share beverages or food with others, even if they do not have symptoms of the flu. It is possible for those who exhibit no symptoms of the flu to carry the virus. In addition, those who have recovered from the flu may still have the virus present in their stool for up to two weeks. Sharing food and beverages are common ways to contract the stomach flu and other infections.
5. Clean common areas such as desks, phones and computer keyboards. Germs can live on surfaces for several weeks. Use a disinfecting product to sanitize areas that are commonly touched or where high traffic exists (see Resources section).
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