The causative agents of influenza pathogens, coronavirus infection, and other pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are highly contagious and are transmitted predominantly by airborne droplets. When sneezing and coughing in the air, microdroplets of saliva, sputum, and respiratory secretions that contain viruses spread around the sick person.
Larger droplets settle on surrounding objects and surfaces, small droplets are in the air for a long time and are carried over distances of up to several hundred meters, while viruses retain the ability to infect from several hours to several days.
The main measures of hygienic prevention are aimed at preventing the contact of healthy people with virus-containing particles of the discharge of a sick person. Compliance with the following hygiene rules will significantly reduce the risk of infection or further spread of influenza, coronavirus infection, and other acute respiratory viral infections.
How not to get infected
- Wash hands after visiting any public places, vehicles, touching door handles, money, or office equipment for public use at the workplace, before eating and cooking. Pay special attention to thorough soaping (at least 20 seconds), and the subsequent complete drainage of the hands.
- After returning home from the street, wash your hands and face with soap and rinse your nose with isotonic saline.
- Touching the face, eyes, with just recently washed hands. In the absence of access to water and soap, use alcohol-based disinfectants to clean hands. Or use a disposable cloth, if necessary, touch your eyes or nose
- Wear a disposable medical mask in crowded places and vehicles. Change the mask to a new one every 2-3 hours, you cannot reuse the mask.
- Prefer smooth hairstyles when you are in crowded places, loose hair, often in contact with the face, increase the risk of infection.
- Avoid close contact and stay in the same room with people who have visible signs of acute respiratory viral infections (coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge).