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Flu etiquette to get through the cold and flu season

(WTOL) – January is the height of cold and flu season. If someone is tempted to push through when getting sick, results in a new study may convince the person to decide otherwise.

If sick, stay home. That is the warning from a new study that found way too many people are extending the flu season by refusing to take a sick day when experiencing symptoms.

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, nearly two-thirds of people who have had the flu in the past three years admitted to going about their daily activities.

As part of its "Are You That Guy?" Influenza Education campaign, the NFID is reminding everyone to practice behavior that will help limit the spread of the virus.

Dr. Susan Rehm is the medical director for the NFID.

"Nobody wants to be ‘that guy.' Nobody wants to be the guy who's coughing and hacking and spreading bacteria and viruses all over the environment and getting other people sick," said Rehm.

Rehm said the best defense against the flu is getting vaccinated. She also recommends keeping hand sanitizer and tissues on hand at all times, for the person sick and others around who may be coughing or sneezing.

Catching coughs and sneezes in a sleeve or tissue is a good practice all year long, especially during flu season, advised Rehm.

Rehm also urged people to avoid touching their faces because a small habit like that can help prevent a sickness if hands are unclean.

Encourage anyone who comes into contact and is experiencing flu-like symptoms to see a doctor.

When coming down with the flu, Rehm suggested considering to cancel obligations for a day or two.

"With the availability of Internet, the opportunity of to work remotely, telephone, all of those kinds of things, it's not as if we are really away when we're working from home. Now, on the other hand, with influenza, it's a serious illness and people may actually feel so bad that they're not even going to be able to work from home," Rehm said.

Rehm said flu etiquette can also be applied when traveling. She said hand shaking should be limited but people could be greeted with eye contact and a smile instead.

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