Re: Can I avoid the flu?
From: orville (pippin_at_plush.invalid)
Date: 10/19/04
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Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 11:25:45 -0400
<poboxdc@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:4170840C.E7E55C72@ix.netcom.com...
> If I eat well, get plenty of sleep, avoid people during
> the flu season, and shop in stores only at night (avoid
> as much contact as possible) can I avoid the flu?
The first thing you have to do is to have a lot of self-confidence. You'll
need that because the things that you have to do to really avoid colds & flu
will probably be criticized by other people as neurotic or paranoid. Most
folks these days are deathly afraid of being called paranoid.
Self-confident people can withstand such ad hominem attacks.
Next, a major area to address is your hands. If you use computer keyboards
that are also used by other people, then you have an area of concern. If
the public restrooms that you use have doorknobs (usually older buildings)
and can't be "elbowed open", then you have an area of concern. Your average
men's room doorknob (or handle) is often the filthiest thing that you will
touch all day.
Handshaking is a bad idea during the cold and flu season. If you must shake
hands for personal or professional reasons, discrete use of hand sanitizer
will help. Don't scratch your nose until you get a chance to use the
sanitizer, though.
Do your coworkers have reasonable hygeine habits? When I was at a local
grocery store deli, the attendant coughed into her plastic glove and
immediately handled the meat she was slicing for me. She still doesn't
understand why I objected. A coworker I had in the recent past would sneeze
and cough without any attempt to turn his head or use a handkerchief. I
made my feelings known.
Are you one of those people who are proud that you have never taken a sick
day? Don't be. How many of your coworkers have been infected by you and
cost your company even more lost productivity?
Married? Forget about it. If your mate is sick, then so are you. Got
kids? You're doomed.
Good nutrition, exercise, sleep, clean water, avoiding large groups of
people, avoiding flying on crowded airplanes, handwashing, avoiding
obviously ill people, etc. are just a few issues to consider in your fight
against the flu.
Be warned that if you go too far with this, you will be considered a
neurotic freak. It is your choice as to whether or not your health is worth
that. If you can do most of these things discretely, and without lecturing
your family & friends, you have a good chance of avoiding colds & flu this
season without having it impact your personal relationships.
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