AFT nurse offers advice to keep staff healthy during the winter

You can’t pick up a newspaper these days without finding some mention of flu season. And with interest peaking, there is no better time to review some useful practices and make sure your school is doing its bit to control the spread of illness.

AFT member Pat Christi, a registered nurse working in the Pajaro Valley (Calif.) public schools, says a little common sense can go a long way toward curbing this perennial winter problem. And many of the procedures she recommends also help control the spread of other common school illnesses such as strep and impetigo.

Here is her short list for flu-savvy schools:

Cough into your shoulder or the crook of your arm, rather than your hand. Your mom taught you wrong on this point, Christi says. Coughing into your hand just gives influenza a nice warm place to hang out for the ride: to desks, chairs, door handles, school materials and other foks. Better to cough into your arm or shoulder, where the virus is less likely to come into contact with others.

Wash your hands ... no, really wash your hands. This is perhaps the single best way of preventing the spread of the virus if you do it right. That means soap, running water and lots of friction. Pay attention to all surfaces from the wrist down and take your time. (You should be able to sing “Happy Birthday” twice in the amount of time it takes to wash up, Christi says.) Finish by drying your hands thoroughly, using the paper towel to turn off the faucet, and tossing the towel into the trash.

Stay one step ahead with good nutrition, adequate sleep, lots of water and exercise. Influenza is an opportunistic bug, one that loves nothing more than to set up shop in the people least prepared to fight it. Individuals who don’t cut corners when it comes to healthy lifestyles have robust natural defenses that make it harder for flu to get a foothold.

Go home! If you do get sick, don’t compound the problem by trying to tough it out at work. That’s just a recipe for spreading the illness to other staff and students. They’ll still admire your dedication—to their health and well-being—if you stay home until you are better. School staff also should consider flu vaccinations each year and ask their personal healthcare providers if a pneumonia vaccination is a good idea.

Buy some protection. Why not bring a box of hand sanitizer wipes to work each day? They’re great for quick cleanups, and they offer a barrier that prevents organisms from entering the body, Christie says. Wipes are especially good, she adds, for staff in portables, who might not have access to running water.

Remember that what’s good for the goose ... These ideas apply just as much to students as to adults, so remember to promote these tips in school newsletters and pass them on to parents.