The Role of Hygiene in Staying Stomach Flu-Free
The role of hygiene is essential in keeping yourself and your family stomach flu-free. There is no other single more important measure than hand washing with this illenss
Washing your hands frequently is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs.
It’s especially important to wash your hands before and after preparing food and after using the bathroom. If you’re in a public place, try to avoid touching surfaces that are frequently touched by others. If you can’t avoid touching them, wash your hands as soon as you can.
Hand sanitizer does NOT kill norovirus or the stomach bug.
In addition to hand hygiene, make sure to keep your living space clean and disinfected. Wipe down surfaces like counters, doorknobs, and light switches regularly. If someone in your household is sick, take extra precautions to sanitize the area they’re using. Keeping good hygiene practices can significantly reduce your risk of getting the stomach flu, so don’t underestimate its importance.
Is it possible to avoid the stomach flu?
It was a Tuesday evening I’ll never forget. My 3-year old walked out of dance class to inform me her tummy hurt. “Do you think you’re going to throw up?” I cautiously asked.
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We got in the car, I handed her a vomit bag
Three minutes. That’s all we were driving when the vomiting started. While I felt sad for my sweet pea, you better believe I was thankful to have been prepared because both my van and her car seat were saved!
Maybe you’ve found this post because someone in your home has come down with the dreaded tummy bug and you want to do everything possible to avoid getting it.
If there’s one thing you purchase after reading this, these bags are an absolute must-have
Norovirus is the medical name for what we often call “the stomach flu.” It typically hits hardest during the winter months when we are confined to being indoors as the outside temperature drops. Let’s review the best ways for you to avoid the stomach flu.
Make sure to have these four items on hand BEFORE the stomach bug hits your house:
Must-Have:
- Vomit bags
— and always keeping one of these in the car will save your interior and/or your car seat!
- an antimicrobial hand spray
- hydrogen peroxide spray
- disposable gloves
(I get these at Costco for the best price but you can absolutely get them most anywhere)
Before we dive into the best ways to avoid the stomach flu, here are the items I recommend you keep on hand:
An antimicrobial for your hands. I use this for my whole family every single time we walk out of the house to go to a public place. It creates a barrier on your hands to repel germs.
My next recommendation for what you must have on hand are these throw-up bags
Wash your hands: Hand-washing is obvious but is the absolute most important. Make it a family habit to wash your hands as soon as you get home. Have visitors wash their hands when entering your home. Wash your hands after using the restroom. Side note: it’s a myth that you must wash your hands using the hottest water you can stand. You don’t even have to use warm water. The truth is, the temperature of the water does not matter. Cold water is 100% as effective as washing with warm water. It matters that you wash your hands properly and with soap, for 20 seconds. Why the temperature does not matter: the act of washing the germs down the drain is how you’re getting rid of viruses on your hands. Wash your hands:
- Before and after preparing food
- During food preparation
- After making food
- Before eating
- After using the toilet
- After diaper changes
- Before caring for someone who is sick
- After caring for someone who is sick
- Before treating a cut or wound
- After treating a cut or wound
- Any other times you think it would be a good idea
This is not a complete list but a good place to start. Again, washing your hands is the best way to avoid getting sick.
I’m including affiliate links in this post for convenience. You can read my full disclosure here if you’d like.
Avoid food preparation while infected and for two weeks after you’ve been sick. Ok, this one is not always realistic, and if that’s the case, I use these disposable gloves while making meals. The stomach flu is shed from your body for two weeks after your symptoms end
Disinfect surfaces and toys using a bleach solution. Typical commercial disinfectants such as Clorox Wipes do not kill norovirus. You must use a bleach solution such as between 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of bleach to 1 gallon of water. This peroxide cleaner
It’s been said that 100% grape juice can help you avoid the stomach flu. It works in a way to change the pH in your intestines.
I have the stomach flu. Now, what?
If you do come down with the stomach flu, it’s best to use a disposable bag or container every time you throw up rather than the old-school buckets that can be cleaned and reused. Every time you rinse throw up down the sink, microscopic particles get into the air and obviously in the tub or sink if that’s where you’re rinsing. Most hospitals have moved to these bags from these buckets for the same reasons.
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