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9 Quick Pointers To Reduce Your Risk Of Infectious Diseases

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Scientists have often said that the world is long overdue a pandemic and should one strike, you are going to what to know how to reduce your risk of infectious disease.

In the past, diseases like the Bubonic plague, the Black Death, the Spanish Flu of 1819, have killed millions of people in their path.

Over the past decades, we have seen AIDS, SARS and a few other diseases kill people but nowhere on as large a scale as the plagues of the past.

This is mostly due to technology and advances in medicine, however those advances cannot keep us absolutely safe.

Many scientists believe that it is just a matter of time before a virus with a dangerous strain emerges and kills millions of people before a cure is found.

It is not a matter of if it will happen, but when it will happen.

In this article, you will be given nine tips to follow to keep yourself and your family safe in the event of a pandemic, such as the current Coronavirus outbreak.

Hands being washed under running water.

Avoid Crowded Places

The best way to minimize the risk of catching an infectious disease is to avoid others.

There is no way to know who is infected since there is a chance some people may not show symptoms.

Wear A Mask And Use Hand Sanitizer

When a pandemic  is declared, don't be embarrassed at appearing paranoid.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Wear N-95 masks if you travel on public transport or must be in a crowded area

Use hand sanitizer as well.

Of course, if you did not stock up on hand sanitizer and masks, once a pandemic hits, it might be too late to buy any.

At the very least, if you can find some, the prices are going to be much higher than normal and the supplies are going to be limited.

The good news is, you can make your own hand sanitizer easily at home.

Simply place the following ingredients in a two-ounce spray bottle and shake it up to make sure it is well combined.

  • ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol 
  • ⅓ cup aloe vera gel
  • 5-10 drops of essential oil, such as tea tree or lemon (optional)

Don't forget to label the bottle so you don't forget what it in it.

 

Prepare Food At Home

Avoid eating out once there are signs that a widespread health disaster is occurring.

You obviously have no way of knowing who is preparing your food.

Cook at home ideally with items you already have on hand.

Be sure to wash your meat and vegetables well.

Again, you have no way to know who has touched what when you buy items once a problem has began.

A countertop being washed off with a sponge.

Keep Your Home Clean

Keep your house clean and disinfect common areas.

Avoid wearing shoes into the house and tracking germs in.

Wash all your street clothes as soon as you get home or at the very least, place them in sealed disposable bags until you can wash them.

Avoid Bodily Fluids

Avoid sleeping with someone you met at a bar or online.

They may be infected and not know it.

Even with your spouse or regular partner, it is best to use protection, just in case they are infected without their knowledge.

Keep in mind that some people are simply carriers of disease and never show symptoms.

Exchange of bodily fluids is one of the fastest ways to spread a disease.

Wash Your Hands And Avoid Touching Your Face, Mouth, Eyes Or Nose

One of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe is regular hand washing.

Your hands come into contact with many objects that may have bacteria on them.

Handling money, holding a handrail, using an ATM to withdraw cash, pressing elevator buttons, etc. are all risky actions because many people before you would have come into contact with these objects.

Of course, it is important to properly wash your hands.

The recommended time frame for washing hands is 20 seconds which is basically the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

However, recent tests have shown that some bacteria still remains on hands even after proper washing for 20 seconds.

This is why using a hand sanitizer during times of illness outbreak is so important even if you don't normally use hand sanitizer.

Also avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes, nose or any area of your body that has an open wound.

These are ideal places for bacteria to enter.

Do Not Share

You might remember your mother telling you not to share your comb or your drink.

When a pandemic or health concern strikes, that is the time to heed that advice!

Do not share drinks, cigarettes, straws, food, makeup, utensils or any other item that someone else has used.

Minimize contact with others as much as possible.

This is the cardinal rule.

Avoid swimming pools and public beaches.

Saunas, gyms, cinemas, churches, or other places where there are crowds are all no-go zones.

People are the main carriers of disease during a pandemic.

You must make up your mind to do this in order to stay safe.

Isolation from the world is dreary and depressing, but it is necessary for your safety until the pandemic is under control.

Even when buying items from the supermarket, always wash soda cans, canned items, plastic bottles, etc.

You can never be too safe.

Keep Your Pet At Home

Do not let your pet roam outside freely.

Give your pet a bath and keep it home.

A pet that walks outside will pick up bacteria on its paws.

When it runs around your house, the germs will end up all over the place.

If you must walk your dog, always wash its feet thoroughly when you return.

Disinfect the floors and areas where the dog lies down.

You should have your pets vaccinated against rabies, distemper and other potential problems ahead of time.

Wash your hands after touching any animal.

Use Air Purifiers

Have a couple of air purifiers in your house to help keep the air in your home clean.

Make sure to keep the filters in them clean and have a couple replacement filters on hand should you need them.

Follow these nine pointers and you will reduce your risk of being infected with an infectious disease considerably.

Always remember to err on the side of caution.

You can never be too safe, especially in the event a worldwide pandemic occurs.

Tips For Staying Healthy

 

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