How to help prevent the spread of germs this cold and flu season

Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren't the only burden that comes with this time of year — it's also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of common surfaces we encounter daily, and according to the CDC, the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface.

"Respiratory illnesses like common colds and the flu can stop families in their tracks, leading to sick days and missed school or work," said Dr. Mona Amin, Board Certified Pediatrician, IBCLC and Clorox spokesperson. "A holistic germ prevention strategy is one of the most effective ways to help stop the spread of illness-causing germs."

Here are a few simple steps:

Disinfect high-touch and high-traffic surfaces

You likely come into contact with certain high-touch and high-traffic areas in your home multiple times daily that can harbor germs. Think of countertops, doorknobs, light switches and toilet handles, for example. Disinfect these areas regularly with a disinfectant like Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. With any disinfecting product, make sure you follow the product label instructions to ensure you're using it correctly and effectively.

Establish a "drop zone"

Along with high-touch surfaces, germs can be brought home from work and school on items like lunchboxes, reusable water bottles and work bags traveling back and forth. To help mitigate bringing germs home, establish a "drop zone" or a designated place to leave shoes, backpacks and other outside items so that germs don't get tracked through the house.

Practice good hand hygiene

Washing your hands is a simple and effective way to help stay healthy. Make sure to wash your hands often, especially when you are likely to get and spread germs after being in a public place, before or after preparing or eating food, going to the bathroom or coughing and sneezing into your hands. To make sure you're washing your hands thoroughly, lather your hands including your fingers and under your nails with soap and scrub with warm water for at least 20 seconds — or the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.

Take care of your holistic health

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated and exercising regularly all contribute to your overall immune system. Prioritizing sleep is also an important part of maintaining your immune system, especially when you feel under the weather, because it helps the immune system to repair and rest.

Reset after someone in your household is sick

If you or someone in your household is sick, stay home from work or school to help reduce the chance of others getting sick and prioritize rest and fluids to recuperate. "When someone in your household gets sick, it can feel inevitable that your home will get caught in a 'sick cycle' or a seemingly never-ending loop of getting one another sick," Dr. Amin said. "As a parent with a sick kid, try your best to get a good night's sleep as much as you're able, wash your hands after providing care and disinfect communal surfaces that can harbor germs."

Once your household has recovered, reset your home. Disinfect hot spots in shared spaces and in the infected individual's room such as doorknobs, light switches and faucet handles. Wash dirty clothing and linens, and to sanitize — or reduce bacteria in laundry — you can add bleach to your wash load of bleach-safe clothing, towels and linens. You can also sanitize dishes after washing them with a bleach and water solution.

Follow CDC guidance

Lastly, the CDC provides up-to-date guidance on vaccines like the flu shot, prevention tactics and different virus trends in your area. Check the CDC's website to stay up to date on the latest information and guidance.

Maintaining a holistic strategy can help you and your household navigate cold and flu season with ease. To find more tips and product recommendations like these, visit Clorox.com.