Practice healthy habits to avoid illness this holiday season

Southeast Michigan Health Association (SEMHA) and public health partners throughout southeast Michigan encourage residents to practice healthy habits to protect themselves and others against colds and flu. Flu activity increases during the holidays, as people are gathering and spending time together in close contact. Therefore, it’s important to take steps that decrease the risk of illness.

Practice these healthy habits to protect against colds and flu:

• Get a flu shot. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccine can reduce flu related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications.

• Wash hands often. Proper hand washing prevents germs from spreading. Wash hands after using the restroom, changing a diaper, sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, and before eating and/or preparing food. Wet hands and apply soap. Rub hands for at least 20 seconds (singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice is a good way to ensure that you spend enough time), scrubbing all surfaces, before rinsing and drying hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Flu and cold germs can spread by kissing, hugging, shaking hands, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces. Germs can live on surfaces for hours and sometimes days. Clean surfaces often with soap and water, and disinfect areas like kitchens and bathrooms regularly – especially if someone in the house is ill. Look for an EPA registered disinfectant, or use unscented household bleach (1 tbsp. of bleach to 1 gallon of cool water). Let surfaces air dry after applying disinfectant.

• Stay home when sick, to rest and recover more quickly and prevent germs from spreading to others.

• Cough or sneeze into sleeve or a tissue. The air that comes out the mouth when coughing or sneezing may contain germs. Always throw away the tissue and wash your hands afterwards.

Flu shots are available through health providers, many pharmacies and local health departments:

• Detroit Health Department, 313-876-4000
https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/immunizations Social Media @DetHealth

• Livingston County Health Department, 517-546-9850
https://www.livgov.com/health/ph/Pages/flu.aspx
Social Media www.facebook.com/LCDPH

• Macomb County Health Department, 586-469-5372 (Mount Clemens); 586-465-8537 (Warren)
http://health.macombgov.org/Health-Programs-FamilyHealthServices-ImmunizationClinic-SeasonalFluInformation
Social Media @PublicHealthMacomb

• Monroe County Health Department, 734-240-7800
https://www.co.monroe.mi.us/officials_and_departments/departments/health_department/flu_clinic.php

• Oakland County Health Division, 248-848-5533 (Nurse on Call)
https://www.oakgov.com/health/services/Pages/Immunizations.aspx
Social Media @publichealthOC

• St. Clair County Health Department, 810-987-5300
http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/health/Flu_Clinic.aspx
www.beattheflu.org
Social Media @scchdmi

• Washtenaw County Health Department, 734-544-6700
www.washtenaw.org/flu
Social Media @wcpublichealth

• Wayne County Health Department, 734-727-7101
https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/hvcw/wellness-services.aspx