Infection Prevention

Protect yourself!

YOU are your best defense against viruses and other infections. Follow these simple tips to keep you and your family healthy:*

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, for 20 seconds.
• Or, use a hand sanitizer that is least 60% alcohol-based.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing food, cups or eating utensils.
• Disinfect your home and belongings, such as children’s toys and play areas.
• Stay home from school or work if you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue, your sleeve or your elbow and NOT your bare hands.
• Get a flu shot
• Call your local hospital or your primary care doctor with any questions.

*Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

COVID-19

COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. COVID-19 is cause by the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets (similar to flu). These droplets can be released when someone with the disease talks, coughs or sneezes. Currently it is believed that respiratory droplets can land on hands, object or surface around the person and other can become infected from touching those items.

• A wide range of symptoms for COVID-19 have been reported. These include:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• New loss of smell or taste
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please contact your healthcare provider or local hospital for further guidance.

Protect Yourself

YOU are the best defense against viruses and other harmful infections. Some simple tips that can help keep your family safe and healthy are:

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer, rubbing hands until the solution is dried (see attachment 1 for proper method of hand washing).
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. These can be easy access into your body for bacteria we might encounter in the environment.
3. Avoid sharing food, cups or eating utensils.
4. Disinfect your home and belongings, focus on high-activity areas such as counter, handles and doorknobs.
5. Stay home if you are sick.
6. Demonstrate cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Use a tissues, or if you don’t have one, sneeze into you sleeve or elbow. Avoid sneezing into your bare hands.
7. Use a face covering when physical distancing is difficult or when going into closed spaces. Physical distancing should be at least 1 meter (3 ft).
8. Get vaccinated for the flu annually, protect your community and family. CDC states approximately 22,000 died from the flu last year.
9. Call your local hospital or primary care doctor with any questions or health concerns.

Enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a type of virus that causes upper respiratory illness. EV-D68 is a non-polio enterovirus. Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses, causing 10 to 15 million infections in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Enterovirus D68.