11 Flu-Fighting Tips for Every Room in Your House

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If one person in your family comes down with the flu, it can take just a few hours for the virus to spread. Stop germs in their tracks and keep everyone healthy this season with these room-by-room strategies.

In the Kitchen

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Buy paper towels
Ditch reusable rags, which can spread the flu virus around your countertops and give germs a moist place to camp out. Throw the sink sponge in the dishwasher at the end of each day, too.


Use disinfectant
Nearly 60% of refrigerator handles, drawer knobs and light switches test positive for the flu virus in a home where one person is sick — and the virus can live for up to three days. Wipe down these hot spots and other frequently touched kitchen surfaces daily.

In the Bedroom

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Keep linens clean
Relegating an under-the-weather spouse to a separate bed may feel unkind, but it's your best defense against the flu. To keep germs from spreading, wash your bedding daily and dry on high heat (it's okay to put it in with the rest of your family's laundry).

In the Bathroom

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Put a lid on it
Gross, but true: When you have a viral infection, the organisms are in your stool. That means that when you flush, the germs are spit into the air, potentially contaminating nearby bathroom countertops, hand towels and toothbrushes. Stay safe by putting the toilet lid down before you flush and stowing toothbrushes in clean drawers or cabinets.

In the Dining Room

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Serve cranberry juice
People who sipped about 8 ounces of the drink daily for 10 days saw a boost in their immune cells that helped to diminish cold and flu symptoms, thanks to powerful polyphenols in the fruit, a study in the Nutrition Journal reports. Bonus: These polyphenols have been shown to support a healthy heart, too.

In the Foyer

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Keep sanitizer on display
Place hand sanitizer on your entryway table as a reminder to clean your hands when you walk through the door. Eighty percent of common infections are spread through contaminated hands, so using an alcohol-based sanitizer just once a day can seriously reduce your risk of getting sick.

Crack open a window
Airing out a room is always good for your home, but it's especially important when someone in your home is sick. Opening your window just a few inches for an hour or so will help cleanse the environment — it will let the stagnant air our and let fresh oxygen in, which will make you feel much better.

In the Living Room

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Clean your clickers
"Look for wipes that specifically say they are disinfectant — it's the only kind that will really get rid of the germs," explains Donna Duberg, M.A., M.S., assistant professor of biomedical laboratory science at Saint Luis University. While you're at it, give doorknobs around the house a swipe, too. They're also a known germ hot spot!

Set up a sick room
The easiest way to prevent the flu from spreading is limiting contact with infected people. Set aside a space for your sick family member, with everything they need — tissues, blankets, medicine and lots of water — to ensure they don't leave the room unless absolutely necessary. Other family members should avoid the sick space as well, in order to prevent the spread.

In the Home Office

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Schedule your flu vaccine
"As many as thirty thousand people die every year from the flu related illness," says Peter Katona, M.D. clinical professor of infectious diseases at UCLA. While it's true that some year's vaccines are less effective than experts would like, any protection is better than no protection at all. "There are virtually no downsides to getting the vaccine and everyone should get it, both young and old," says Katona. Scared of shots? The vaccine can now be administered via nasal spray.

Wipe down your desk
Icky fact: Your work space harbors 400 times more bacteria than your toilet. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean your desk and high touch areas, like your phone and keyboard, at least once a week. Your health will thank you!

From: Woman's Day US

By Woman's Day Staff