A sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, aches and pains – we have all woken up with some or all of these ailments before.
They can be symptoms of the common cold or the less rare, but more severe flu. Colds and flus are one of the main causes of sick days and the one of the most frequent reason for a visit to the doctor. While it can happen any time, it’s more common to catch the flu, or experience flu-like symptoms, in the colder months of the year (April to October) 3.
We can all try to avoid catching and spreading cold viruses by being very conscious of hygiene. The simple 3-step Sneezesafe method is key2:
- Catch it: catch your sneeze or cough in a facial tissue
- Bin it: immediately put the tissue in a rubbish bin
- Wash it: wash hands straight away to help kill the germs
Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection among people. However, nearly 95% of adults do not wash long enough to thoroughly clean the bacteria and viruses from their hands3.
Effective hand hygiene relies on appropriate technique as much as on selection of the correct product. A recommended technique is using soap, rinsing hands thoroughly under running water then patting dry with a single use towel. Actually, key factors in effective hand hygiene and maintaining skin integrity include ensuring that hands are completely dry.
Research shows that drying hands with paper towels reduces bacteria on fingers by up to 77%; this is because by drying hands with hand towels effectively removes residual water left on hands after washing. Moreover, the use of single-use towels also helps to reduce the spread of germs in the bathroom.
Scott® and Kleenex® hand towels from Kimberly-Clark Professional® are made with the advanced Airflex™ technology ensures efficient hand drying, and provides you with a fast, effective and gentle hand dry. Did you know that Airflex™ technology, allows you to dry your hands in under 10 seconds?
Kimberly-Clark Professional® brands deliver simple hygiene solutions designed to help to maximise productivity in your workplace. Managing bacteria in the workplace is a clear priority for any business, especially since up to 72% of employees report that they come to work when they’re feeling under the weather 4. Scott® and Kleenex® skincare solutions was designed to deliver superior experience for an Elevated Standard of Clean. The Scott® moisturizing foam hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of bacteria without rinsing.
References:
Source 1: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/flu-trends
Source 2: https://www.kleenex.com.au/health-hygiene/colds-flu/
Source 3: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hand-washing
Source 4: https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/far-out-friday-the-death-of-the-sickie-99650.aspx
