Cold and Influenza (Flu)

4 Easy-to-Do cleaning tips to help protect you and your family:

Wash hands often. Germs can easily be passed through shaking hands and by touching cold and flu germ “hotspots” such as doorknobs, children’s toys, faucets, countertops, desktops, handrails, remote controls and telephones.

Disinfect/ sanitize children’s toys and hard surfaces in your home. Sharing is great…except when it comes to germs! Help prevent spreading of cold and flu germs by regularly disinfecting with household products that are approved for this purpose. Make sure to read and follow label directions.

Help fight cold and flu germs in your child’s daycare or classroom by providing disinfecting wipes, hand soap or tissues. Check with the teacher or caregiver to see which materials will be most helpful.

Launder clothes and bedding with products known to kill cold and flu viruses (e.g. bleach, disinfecting/sanitizing detergents, etc). Make sure to read and follow label directions.

Is it Cold or Flu?

Differences in a Cold and the Flu
(National Institute of Health)

Hints from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA Consumer)

Want More Information About the Flu?

View a Current Map of Flu Activity in the US (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Flu Fact Sheet (US Food and Drug Administration)
Seasonal Flu (US Dept of Health & Human Services)
Key Facts about the Flu (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Flu (“Gripe”) Information En Espanol (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Want More Information About the Common Cold?

Quick Tips About the Common Cold (www.mayoclinic.com)
General Information on the Common Cold (www.commoncold.org)
More great information and links on the Common Cold (National Library of Medicine)