September 21, 2009 - School is back in session, so make sure you start it off the right way. Use the start of a new semester as motivation to practice new, healthier habits. No one wants to begin the semester by falling victim to a cold or the flu. Protect yourself from possible illness by employing these three effective and easy strategies.
- Wash your hands...the right way. Handwashing is an easy, effective way to prevent infection - but make sure you're doing it properly!
- The Mayo Clinic recommends running warm water over your hands and lathering with soap for 15-20 seconds - about the length of time that it takes to sing the alphabet. Hum your ABC's if you don't feel like counting.
- They call it "handwashing," but be sure to scrub everywhere - under your nails, the backs of your hands, wrists, between fingers and underneath rings.
- DON'T FORGET TO DRY! Wet hands breed bacteria.
- Hands off the faucet! Use a towel or a shirt sleeve to turn off the faucet if you can; otherwise you may re-contaminate your hands. The same principal applies to the doorknob.
- Cover your cough! When you cover a cough or a sneeze with your hands, you then spread those germs onto everything you touch.
- Cover those coughs and sneezes with a tissue or handkerchief!
- If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or shoulder. The CDC website includes illustrations and more information.
- Always clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Soap and water is best, but alcohol-based hand cleaner also works.
- Get vaccinated! According to the CDC, getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself against the flu.
- Seasonal flu shots are now available for students on the 3rd floor of the NYU Student Health Center during Allergy, Immunology and Travel Medicine's Flu Shot walk-in hours: Tuesdays (2-5pm), Wednesdays (10am-12pm and 2-5pm), and Thursdays (2-5pm). Vaccines are also available during Primary Care and Women's Health visits.
- You can also save yourself a trip to the SHC by attending a one of our free student flu shot outreach events. Visit the NYU Student Health Center's Flu & You Virtual Kiosk for dates, times, and locations.
Seasonal flu shots are free for any NYU student at SHC outreach events this fall. When administered at the SHC, flu shots for students covered under one of the NYU-sponsored Student Health Insurance plans are free. For students covered under any other insurance plans, the fee is $10. Please Note: Seasonal flu shots at SHC are available for NYU students only. Seasonal flu shots for NYU employees will be available in October through the Human Resources LiveSmart Program.
Thought for the week: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Have questions about your health? Stop by the Health Promotion Office, located at:
726 Broadway (across from Waverly Place)
3rd Floor
212-443-1234
health.promotion@nyu.edu