Health Literacy

The Easiest Ways To Protect Yourself From Viral Infection

Protect Yourself From Viral Infection
Vaccination. Image credit: Adobe Stock.

Germs are a part of our everyday lives, whether we like it or not. They float through the air, rest on surfaces, and invade our bodies if exposed. Luckily, plenty of easy ways to protect yourself from viral infections exist and can lower your risk of disease. Implement these tips in your daily life to reduce your chances of picking up a nasty virus.

Wash Your Hands With Soap

While hand sanitizers work well to clean your hands in a pinch, they’re no substitute for frequent and thorough hand washing. Wash your hands with warm water and soap before and after preparing food, eating meals, and using the restroom.

Reduce Your Exposure To Infected People

If you know somebody in your life is sick with a virus, limit your close contact with them until they feel better. Should you need to interact with them, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Avoid touching things they’ve touched
  • Wear a high-quality mask, if you have one
  • Wash your hands thoroughly afterward

Keep the Air and Surfaces in Your Home or Business Clean

Surfaces like countertops, faucet handles, keyboards, and doorknobs are particularly high-touch areas and breeding grounds for germs like virus particles. Use warm water and detergent to clean these surfaces frequently, avoiding antibacterial solutions to prevent any germs from developing resistance.

Don’t forget about the air in your home and office! Air purifiers fitted with HEPA filters can reduce the spread of nasty bugs, including the COVID-19 virus and its variants.

Stay Up To Date on Your Shots

Vaccination against viruses like influenza and COVID-19 provides valuable protection against the worst of the illness’s effects. Give your immune system the information it needs to fight viral infection with up-to-date vaccinations! Even if you catch a virus, you will be less likely to require hospitalization. (Ask your doctor. This is not medical advice.)

If the thought of catching a viral infection makes you anxious, rest assured that there are plenty of actionable ways to protect yourself from exposure. Reduce your chances of falling ill by paying attention to the cleanliness of your environment and your vaccination schedule!

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Dr. Jade Marie Tomaszewski is a pathologist-in-training at McGill University, where she also did her degree in MSc Pathology. She obtained her medical degree (MD) from the University of the Philippines, after completing a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. In her (little) spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, curling up with a book and a large mug of tea, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. You can follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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