How to lower your chances of contracting airborne diseases

Image source: mnn.com

In a world where a trip to the emergency room can bury you in debt, staying healthy should be everyone’s priority. Prevention is better than expensive treatment, especially if the diseases one can get are avoidable. According to Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, airborne diseases are very common and at the same time, quite preventable. Here are some ways on how to lower your chances of contracting airborne diseases like influenza, the common cold, measles, and mumps.

If you know that a person is sick with a disease that can be transferred, avoid close contact with them. The same goes for people who show symptoms of the disease like coughing, sneezing, having a runny nose, or have a sore throat.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to spot people who display these types of symptoms, especially when one is in transit. It can also be possible that avoiding people who show these symptoms is not something you can do. It could be a co-worker that came in ill or a sick customer ordering coffee. In these cases, you can wear a face mask to prevent breathing in germs.

Image source: medicaldaily.com

While you could be safe from inhaling germs, your hands can be the vehicle to which they enter your body. According to Capt. Martin Sanders, one must wash their hands thoroughly and as often as possible. Also, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, is a scientist officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. He has more than 10 years of service in the field of epidemiology and occupational safety and health, with extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. For more articles like this, visit thisblog.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.