Communicable Disease Prevention 

Protect yourself and others against illness.  


Handwashing 

  • The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands.  

  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or antiseptic handwash to help remove bacteria and viruses. Dry your hands thoroughly. Use a disposable towel to open the door upon leaving restroom.  

  • Always wash and dry your hands after going to the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, or touching objects, materials or hard surfaces that may have been contaminated by someone else with an infectious illness.  

  • Always wash hands before and after eating, grooming, smoking, or any other activity that involves hand-to-face contact.  

  • Shared surfaces such as door knobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other hard surfaces can also become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. These surfaces must be cleaned regularly.  

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette 

  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  

  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow, or use a tissue.  

  • Always wash your hands after coughing and sneezing, or disposing of tissues.  

  • Generally, keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes.  

  • Stay home until influenza-like symptoms (i.e., fever) have disappeared.  

  • Avoid those displaying influenza-like symptoms.