Last year, due to lockdowns and other safety measures, cases of colds and flus were lower than usual.
With many places lifting restrictions, cold and flu season is making a comeback.
If someone in your household gets sick, don't panic.
NPR spoke with specialists in infectious disease transmission for strategies to avoid spreading colds and flus at home.
1. Hang on to your mask.
Masks help prevent the spread of infectious particles and virus-filled droplets.
Wearing one, or having your child wear one, could reduce the amount of virus-filled aerosols in your house.
"You could have kids over [age] 2 wear a mask for the first three or four days of symptoms." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
2. Fresh air and ventilation are key.
Create air circulation by opening the windows or turning on a fan.
"The better the ventilation, the less likely the viruses are going to get transmitted from one person to another." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
3, Don't over sanitize.
Tan says that, "most of these viruses don't live on surfaces for very long periods of time." The research on exactly how long cold-causing viruses survive on surfaces is not definitive. "Wipe down frequently-touched surfaces multiple times a day. But you don't have to go crazy and, like, scour everything down with bleach." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
This cold season, take steps to keep your household healthy and safe.
With many places lifting restrictions, cold and flu season is making a comeback.
If someone in your household gets sick, don't panic.
NPR spoke with specialists in infectious disease transmission for strategies to avoid spreading colds and flus at home.
1. Hang on to your mask.
Masks help prevent the spread of infectious particles and virus-filled droplets.
Wearing one, or having your child wear one, could reduce the amount of virus-filled aerosols in your house.
"You could have kids over [age] 2 wear a mask for the first three or four days of symptoms." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
2. Fresh air and ventilation are key.
Create air circulation by opening the windows or turning on a fan.
"The better the ventilation, the less likely the viruses are going to get transmitted from one person to another." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
3, Don't over sanitize.
Tan says that, "most of these viruses don't live on surfaces for very long periods of time." The research on exactly how long cold-causing viruses survive on surfaces is not definitive. "Wipe down frequently-touched surfaces multiple times a day. But you don't have to go crazy and, like, scour everything down with bleach." Dr. Tina Tan, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, via NPR.
This cold season, take steps to keep your household healthy and safe.
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