Call 1-631-273-0500, Monday – Friday, 7am to 6pm EST ULTRAVIOLET.COM Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation How to Prevent the Flu Germicidal UV-C Applications > Flu Prevention Steps Protect and Safeguard Your Employees, Customers, Students, and Patients by Taking Four Steps, including Installing Germicidal UV-C Light Disinfection Equipment. Taking the following flu prevention steps is recommended. Since there is no flu cure, it’s best to just avoid the flu altogether. The surprise is that flu prevention involves more than just flu shots and hygiene; using Ultraviolet UV-C light can increase your chances of not getting the flu, or spreading flu germs to others. Installation of Germicidal Ultraviolet Purification Equipment should be an airborne precaution in hospitals, offices, colleges, schools, and all occupied areas where cross-contamination is a concern. Installation of a Germicidal UV-C Air Sanitizer should be an essential step for airborne infection control and prevention of communicable diseases. Download our “How to Prevent the Flu” Whitepaper PDF Watch our Flu Prevention Video on YouTube Flu Prevention Step 1 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the FIRST step in flu prevention is to take time to get the flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccine should be the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work or school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Also, there is data to suggest that even if someone gets sick after vaccination, their illness may be milder. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins in their community. CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October. Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older. Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to them. Infants younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. Studies have shown that flu vaccination of the mother during pregnancy can protect the baby after birth from flu infection for several months. People who live with or care for infants should be vaccinated. Flu Prevention Step 2 The SECOND step stated by the CDC to avoid the flu is to take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of flu germs. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible. Cover your nose, and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, like the flu. If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Flu Prevention Step 3 THIRDLY, the CDC recommends that you should take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. They are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines and are not available over-the-counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. CDC recommends prompt antiviral treatment for people who are severely ill and people who are at high risk of serious flu complications who develop flu symptoms. For people with high-risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness and possible hospital stay. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 48 hours of getting sick. Starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking these drugs. Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Flu Prevention Step 4 A FOURTH step in flu prevention is to install Germicidal Ultraviolet Light Room Air Purification Equipment. SANITAIRE® Ultraviolet (UV-C) Room Air Sanitizers protect room occupants from infection due to flu and airborne microbes, particularly in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, and in situations where the risk of cross-infection is high. The SANITAIRE® can effectively destroy flu and airborne microbes including bacteria, mold, and virus in enclosed occupied spaces. SANITAIRE® Room Air Sanitizers utilize STER-L-RAY® Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps, which are completely enclosed within a stainless steel and reflective aluminum exposure chamber and are safe for use in rooms whether occupied or unoccupied. Read this article for more information about the Flu Virus and UV-C light. NCBI, Aerosol Susceptibility of Flu Virus to UV-C Light Shop Models at BuyUltraviolet.com Models are available in a number of different configurations to adapt to any setting, like child care programs, school classrooms, colleges, student housing, offices, and all workplaces. So, flu precaution steps include the flu vaccine, taking everyday preventative actions, taking your flu antiviral drugs if prescribed, and installing a SANITAIRE® Ultraviolet (UV-C) Room Air Sanitizer in especially crowded or poorly ventilated areas and in situations where the risk of cross-infection is high. Effectively destroy flu and airborne microbes including bacteria, mold and virus with a SANITAIRE® Room Air Sanitizer before infectious disease can strike. Download our “How to Prevent the Flu” Whitepaper PDF Watch our Flu Prevention Video on YouTube Need help? Call Our UV Application Specialists at 1-631-273-0500, Mon.–Fri. 7am to 6pm EST. We will help you determine the right products, and the proper installation method in order to provide the precise ultraviolet dosage for your needs. Learn Here! Ultraviolet.com Learn about our SANITAIRE® UV Room Air Sanitizer Models Learn about STER-L-RAY® Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps Download our Flu Prevention Whitepaper PDF Shop Here! BuyUltraviolet.com Shop SANITAIRE® UV Room Air Sanitizers Shop STER-L-RAY ® Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps Compare all UV Air & Surface Disinfection Models Our Flu Prevention Blog Posts: Flu in the Workplace Cost of Getting the Flu Influenza is Inactivated by UV-C Light Visit The Follow Links For More Information: CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention): Influenza (Flu) Preventive Steps NCBI (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health): Article: Aerosol Susceptibility of Flu Virus to UV-C Light CM-000279 ATLANTIC ULTRAVIOLET CORPORATION® - Since 1963 Manufacturers / Engineers / Sales / Service - Germicidal Ultraviolet Equipment & Lamps 375 Marcus Boulevard Hauppauge, NY, 11788-2026, USA 1-631-273-0500 Contact Us Manufacturing in USA for 58 Years Learn Here! Ultraviolet.com Learn Home Page Product Directory The UV Application Specialist Blog What is UV? FAQs Resellers Wanted About Us Contact Us Shop Here! 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