Flu-less cleanliness

MANILA, Philippines - For working mothers, the cold and flu season means more than just fevers and sniffles.

Twenty-two million school days are lost every year to the common cold — meaning someone needs to stay home to care for the kids.

The flu virus can live on surfaces for two whole days – meaning siblings and the hubby could also become contaminated.

Cold and flu viruses are the leading cause of doctor’s visits — meaning pesos spent in consults and medicine.

But while the flu’s more complicated than it seems, the way to a flu-less family is quite simple. In fact, it’s as easy as keeping your household clean and disinfected. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new fact sheet, “Control of Pandemic Flu Virus on Environmental Surfaces in Homes and Public Places,” which explains how cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in homes and public places can help to prevent the spread of influenza:

Flu is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and make contact with the mouth or nose of people nearby.

Droplets from an infected person can also make contact with environmental surfaces (like the tops of tables). The virus can then be spread from those surfaces if a person touches the droplets and then touches his own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing his hands.

The virus also can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into his hands and then proceeds to touch a surface (like a phone, remote control, or toy) before washing. Another person could become sick if he/she touches that surface and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing. It’s important to note that flu viruses and other germs can live two hours or longer on hard environmental surfaces like tables, doorknobs, and desks.

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes only some of the germs from surfaces, whereas disinfecting actually destroys them. Therefore, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses that it’s important to routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.

Among the leading disinfection brands on the market today is Lysol. Considered as the #1 disinfection brand recommended by pediatricians (based on National US Survey), Lysol kills 99.9 percent of germs in 30 seconds. Among these is the flu virus or Influenza A.

Since cleaning only removes dirt but doesn’t actually destroy germs, it’s recommended to use Lysol Disinfectant Spray or Lysol Sanitizing Wipes to kill 99.9 percent of germs on these commonly touched surfaces.