We may welcome October, but the flu is unfortunately part of the season. So do you really need to throw away your toothbrush and that favourite lipstick if you get sick? What’s the best approach to contact lens care? And how should you kill any nasty flu germs on your sheets and towels? Natasha Salt, Sunnybrook’s Director of Infection Prevention and Control, serves up a reality check in this flu-prep quick quiz:
Quiz: Flu Prevention and Control: What to throw away, and what to keep, after you’ve been sick.
- Question 1 of 11
The flu is a respiratory and a gastrointestinal virus?
Correct! The flu or influenza, is associated with respiratory symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. Often, it is confused with gastrointestinal viruses like norovirus, which cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. The flu or influenza, is associated with respiratory symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. Often, it is confused with gastrointestinal viruses like norovirus, which cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Question 2 of 11
The main way flu is transmitted is through unclean hands and close contact with other sick people.
Correct! Our hands can pick up viruses when we touch contaminated surfaces or shake someone’s hand. They then enter our body via unclean hands when we touch our mouths, nose or eyes. Being in close contact with someone who is coughing and sneezing also puts you at risk for inhaling viruses.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. Our hands can pick up viruses when we touch contaminated surfaces or shake someone’s hand. They then enter our body via unclean hands when we touch our mouths, nose or eyes. Being in close contact with someone who is coughing and sneezing also puts you at risk for inhaling viruses.
- Question 3 of 11
Hand washing remains the best way to protect yourself from the flu.
Correct! Hand washing helps to physically remove organisms from your hands, which is important as people often touch their eyes, nose and mouth, all easy points of entry for germs. Hand washing has been shown to be the most effective method in reducing transmission. If you don’t have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers will also do the trick.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. Hand washing helps to physically remove organisms from your hands, which is important as people often touch their eyes, nose and mouth, all easy points of entry for germs. Hand washing has been shown to be the most effective method in reducing transmission. If you don’t have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers will also do the trick.
- Question 4 of 11
It’s definitely worthwhile to buy antimicrobial soap during flu season.
Correct! For the general public at home, regular soap and water works just fine in removing viruses. Just be sure to take the time to wash your hands thoroughly, getting in between your fingers, scrubbing all surfaces and don’t forget your thumbs. It should take about 15-20 seconds, or about the length of time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. For the general public at home, regular soap and water works just fine in removing viruses. Just be sure to take the time to wash your hands thoroughly, getting in between your fingers, scrubbing all surfaces and don’t forget your thumbs. It should take about 15-20 seconds, or about the length of time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.
- Question 5 of 11
If I’ve already been sick, I’m protected for the season.
Correct! There are so many different kinds of respiratory viruses circulating in the community, but they often feel the same as they have similar symptoms, including runny nose, fever and cough. That’s why it’s important for people to be diligent about hand washing all season long, and to get the flu shot. Vaccination will help lower your risk of acquiring the flu or minimize symptoms if you do get the flu. It is especially important to get your flu shot to help protect vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. There are so many different kinds of respiratory viruses circulating in the community, but they often feel the same as they have similar symptoms, including runny nose, fever and cough. That’s why it’s important for people to be diligent about hand washing all season long, and to get the flu shot. Vaccination will help lower your risk of acquiring the flu or minimize symptoms if you do get the flu. It is especially important to get your flu shot to help protect vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly.
- Question 6 of 11
Most cold and flu viruses can survive for a few days in the environment.
Correct! There are differences in survival rates depending on the surface. For example, the flu can survive on hard surfaces like countertops, for about 24 to 48 hours. On soft surfaces like cloth, paper and tissues, the flu can survive for about 8 to 12 hours.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. There are differences in survival rates depending on the surface. For example, the flu can survive on hard surfaces like countertops, for about 24 to 48 hours. On soft surfaces like cloth, paper and tissues, the flu can survive for about 8 to 12 hours.
- Question 7 of 11
If one member of the family has a cold or flu, the best approach to cleaning surfaces like doorknobs and faucets is:
Correct! It’s almost impossible to constantly wash surfaces that are touched at home. What’s more effective in terms of illness prevention and spread is to be sure to wash your hands well before you eat, drink or touch your face and minimize close contact with those that are ill.
So focus on hand hygiene, and clean your home as you normally would. Should you choose to disinfect surfaces, most common household disinfectants will kill viruses like the flu.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. It’s almost impossible to constantly wash surfaces that are touched at home. What’s more effective in terms of illness prevention and spread is to be sure to wash your hands well before you eat, drink or touch your face and minimize close contact with those that are ill.
So focus on hand hygiene, and clean your home as you normally would. Should you choose to disinfect surfaces, most common household disinfectants will kill viruses like the flu.
- Question 8 of 11
If you have the flu, you should definitely throw out your toothbrush once your symptoms have subsided.
Correct! There is no need, as this is your own personal product and any viruses on it will eventually die. As you work through the flu, your body is already building up immunity, or antibodies, against these germs. There is nothing on your toothbrush that will put you at risk for developing the same infection a second time.
While it’s not recommended or necessary, you can always submerge your toothbrush in boiling water for a few minutes as cold and flu organisms are fairly easy to kill, if that gives you extra piece of mind.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. There is no need, as this is your own personal product and any viruses on it will eventually die. As you work through the flu, your body is already building up immunity, or antibodies, against these germs. There is nothing on your toothbrush that will put you at risk for developing the same infection a second time.
While it’s not recommended or necessary, you can always submerge your toothbrush in boiling water for a few minutes as cold and flu organisms are fairly easy to kill, if that gives you extra piece of mind.
- Question 9 of 11
Makeup brushes need to be sanitized in an alcohol-based solution after a bout of flu.
Correct! You are totally fine to use them and clean them as you normally would, even if you’re recovering from the flu.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. You are totally fine to use them and clean them as you normally would, even if you’re recovering from the flu.
- Question 10 of 11
If you’ve been sick and wear contact lenses, the best thing to do is:
Correct!
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. If you’re sick and wear contact lenses, the best thing to do is to focus more on washing your hands before and after insertion, and clean your lenses as you normally would.
- Question 11 of 11
It’s recommended to wash clothing items and towels in hot water only if you’ve been sick.
Correct! Clean items as they are recommended to be laundered as this is not the typical route of transmission. But rest assured, the high heat from the dryer will also kill viruses.
Sorry, that answer is incorrect. Clean items as they are recommended to be laundered as this is not the typical route of transmission. But rest assured, the high heat from the dryer will also kill viruses.
