Cold/Flu Awareness

Many colleges and universities are providing information and promotional products such as custom printed tissue packs in an effort to cut down on the number of students affected by colds and flus this season.

Nursing homes and Elementary schools – High schools are also taking steps to encourage good habits -such as frequent hand washing- that discourage the flu from taking up residence in their students and residents.

Some practical tips on how to avoid the flu and cold germs (source: health.discovery.com):

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. A quick rinse won’t do the trick. To kill germs, communicative disease experts recommend washing with soap for 15 to 30 seconds-about as long as it takes to hum a rollicking verse of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
Keep your hands away from your face to reduce the chance of delivering viruses directly to your eyes or nose. One study found that people typically touched their face fifteen times in an hour.
Make certain you’re getting your RDA for vitamin E and other antioxidants including A, C and B-complex vitamins and minerals. These have properties that enhance immune response. Studies on older mice have shown that those with reduced levels of vitamin E were more susceptible to flu infection.
Don’t smoke. Smoke paralyzes the cilia, the hairlike cells lining the nose and airways that sweep incoming viruses away before they can infect.
Use tissues, not cloth handkerchiefs, to reduce spread of infection.
Reduce stress. Research has shown that immune responses are compromised by stress. See custom printed stress relievers / stress balls here
Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Chronic sleep deprivation can reduce your immune response.
Reduce alcohol consumption. Chronic heavy drinkers suffer from more colds and flu-and their complications-than others do, and even regular moderate use of alcohol can compromise immune response.

Custom Printed Tissue Packs

School Bus Shaped Tissue Box

Also check out our hand sanitizer sprays and gels to kill the germs when hot water and soap aren’t readily available! Great for pocket, purse, car, and backpacks!