Flu is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs, and is generally spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. No vaccine is currently available for pandemic influenza. Taking infection control measures is one of the best ways to minimise infection. These simple, common sense practices might help you and your employees reduce influenza infection.
Hand washing
- Adopt good hand washing/hand hygiene practices, particularly after coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
- Immediately dispose of used tissues.
- Keep hands away from the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Ensure that adequate supplies of hand hygiene products are available. (This is a high planning priority as there may be interruption to the supply or shortages of soap and hand towels).
- Have a supply of tissues available and provide no-touch receptacles for used tissue disposal.
- Consider having conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub.
- Provide soap and disposable towels for hand washing near sinks.
Coughing and sneezing
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing (preferably with a disposable single use tissue).
- Dispose of tissues in the nearest waste receptacle after use. Do not store them in your pockets.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing or touching used tissues.
Personal Protective Equipment
- The most commonly used equipment would be masks and protective barriers.
- Disposable surgical masks help prevent exposing others to respiratory secretions of those who are ill. Dispose of any mask as soon as it becomes moist or after any cough or sneeze, and wash your hands thoroughly.
- Protective barriers in the form of Perspex or glass may provide useful protection for people such as front counter staff, whose duties require them to have frequent face-to-face contact with members of the public and where social distancing is not practical.
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