Your health is important, and when it comes to viruses, the most important medicine is sometimes prevention. Here are some ways to protect yourself from viruses.
Wear a Mask
Masks that cover your mouth and nose help filter out harmful particles, protecting both the wearer and those around them. If you are going to an area where there is an illness your immune system isn’t used to, you may want to wear a travel face mask that will offer additional protection by covering the rest of your face as well.
Wash Your Hands
Hands are breeding grounds for all kinds of viruses and bacteria. Simply washing your hands with soap and water will eliminate most of them. Be sure to wash your hands often and follow the correct protocols when doing so.
Use Hand Sanitizer
You can’t always get to a sink right away to wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer after touching things that may carry germs, such as shopping carts and door handles. This is not a substitute for soap and water, but it will help kill germs in between washes.
Distance Yourself
Leaving space between yourself and others can help prevent viruses from spreading through the air. Try to stay at least a few feet away from other people when possible.
Avoid Sick People
It is possible to be a carrier of a virus and not know you are sick, but when someone is obviously ill, it is best to stay away until they have fully recovered. Wearing a mask and distancing yourself from sick people will also help prevent the spread of germs if you must be around them.
Take Care of Your Immune System
A healthy diet and plenty of vitamins and minerals will help you build a strong immune system to fight off viruses when you do get sick.
Wearing a mask, washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, distancing yourself, avoiding sick people and taking care of your immune system can help you avoid contracting a virus and spreading it to others.
