1. Scrub Your Hands
During flu season, attentive hand washing is one of the most important preventive measures you can take. Your hands are one of the easiest entry points for viral gastroenteritis. If you pick up the virus from a doorknob or handrail, or by shaking hands with someone, then use your hands to eat lunch without washing them, you've just contracted the stomach flu.
There's a proper way to wash your hands. Use warm water. Lather your hands for at least 30 seconds and scrub everywhere. Get the tops, palms, fingers and underneath the fingernails. Rinse your hands thoroughly, then pat them dry on a clean towel. Avoid sharing towels if possible, especially in public restrooms.
2. Avoid Close Contact With Infected People
It's not always possible to stay completely away from people with the stomach flu. After all, you never know when you're going to get stuck next to a sick person on a bus or subway train. If this happens, you should avoid physical contact with the infected person, especially with that person's bodily fluids. If you suspect someone may have viral gastroenteritis, the best thing to do is keep your distance.
3. Don't Share Food, Drinks or Utensils
Similarly, it's crucial to avoid activities that promote the transfer of another person's saliva into your body. While it's obvious that you shouldn't kiss someone carrying a viral infection, you should also avoid sharing food, drinks and eating utensils.
4. Get Vaccinated
As flu season approaches, ask your doctor about getting a vaccine. There is a vaccination available in the United States that can protect you against certain forms of viral gastroenteritis. Getting a flu shot protects you from stomach infections caused by the rotavirus, and has in clinical tests shown a great deal of promise in preventing the most uncomfortable symptoms of stomach flu.
5. Watch Out When Traveling
Different parts of the world have different standards of cleanliness, so you should be careful when traveling to other countries. It's advisable to make sure that all bottled water you drink is purified and delivered in a securely sealed container. Avoid the local tap water, including ice cubes -- even the water you use in brushing your teeth. Travel experts also recommend that you refrain from eating raw food or anything that's been prepared by hand, and to take extra precautions with fish and meat that may not have been adequately cooked.
