County Health Department offers advice on how to stay healthy

Winneshiek County Public Health is reminding the public of the necessity of having healthy habits to prevent the spread of illness.

Staying home when sick and using good hand washing can prevent the spread of illness to others. It is important to avoid exposure to individuals who are more immune suppressed that have difficulty fighting off illness. This would include the elderly, including those in the nursing homes, small children, infants, and those persons with chronic diseases. Send others to do the shopping if you are ill, don't infect others.

If you have been ill with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to stay home and get plenty of rest and replenish your fluid intake. One should not prepare food for others if you are experiencing these symptoms. Good hand washing is a must. Clean your home and disinfect areas such as bathrooms if you have been sick.

The CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health have reported that influenza activity has increased both in Iowa and nationwide. This is earlier than usual and will continue to spread. Positive influenza has been reported in Winneshiek County as well. If you have received your influenza vaccine that is good news, as the flu strains identified are covered with this year's flu vaccine. It is not too late to get your vaccine and you need to talk to your healthcare providers or local pharmacies to receive your vaccination.

If you are sick, phone your healthcare provider before going to see them, so you do not expose others to your illness. Work with them on how to care for those who are ill.

Even though we are in the holiday season and thinking of sharing our gifts and talents with others, check first with individuals and institutions to see if they are accepting visitors so that we can prevent the spread of illness.