Spreading flu: Do you know the rules?

Do you know how to avoid spreading flu? No-one wants to see family members, friends or colleagues get ill with flu. That's why it's important to understand "the rules" on how to keep the flu virus to yourself - and avoid making others ill, too.

What is the flu?

Influenza (or the flu) is an extremely contagious viral disease that appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The infection spreads through the upper respiratory tract and sometimes invades the lungs.

How are flu viruses spread?

The main way that illnesses like flu are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This is called "droplet infection" according to the Department of Health; tiny drops from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are deposited the mouth or nose of people nearby.

Germs are also spread when a person touches mucus droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing hands. We know that some viruses like the flu can live two hours or longer on surfaces like computer keyboards, doorknobs and desks.

Are there tips to avoid spreading the flu?

According to the Department of Health, there are good health habits you can use to avoid catching the flu and avoid spreading the flu if you do get sick. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Avoid close contact.

Germs are transmitted easily when you live in close quarters, especially during winter months when we stay indoors. If you have the flu or a cold, avoid getting close to colleagues, friends or family members. Tell them you're ill and that you don't want them to catch the virus. This helps protect them from getting ill, too.

2. Stay home from the office or school when you're sick.

If you feel ill, stay home from work or school. Do your colleagues or classmates a favour and keep the flu virus to yourself.

A healthy adult can infect other people one day before any symptoms appear and up to five days after. 

This means you can unknowingly infect your colleagues at work or friends at school before you know you're sick. In addition, if you go back to work or school within five or six days of having flu symptoms, chances are great that you are still quite contagious.

3. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.

When you cough or sneeze, protect others from your germs by covering your mouth and nose with your hand or a tissue. Afterwards, dispose of the tissue and wash your hands thoroughly to remove germs. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your sleeve to protect others.