Tips for Cold & Flu Season

Here are some tips to help you feel your best.

Tip #1

WASH HANDS OFTEN.

Especially before eating, after using the restroom and after being outside. To do it right, use soap and warm water for a full 20 seconds. It’s also important to dry your hands with a clean, fresh towel, and we recommend using KLEENEX® Hand Towels.

Tip #2

GET IMMUNIZED.

The flu virus can spread fast, so get vaccinated. Flu vaccines protect against the three viruses that experts predict will be most common each season.

Tip #3

USE A TISSUE.

Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Tissues can help trap germs so they don't spread. And remember; throw it away when you're done. Kleenex® Tissues have an extra layer of protection, the Sneeze Shield, a special protective layer in each tissue that helps keep wetness off hands.

Tip #4

USE KLEENEX^® ANTI-VIRAL* TISSUES

Some cold and flu viruses can live up to 24 hours on regular tissues, so use Kleenex^® Anti-Viral* tissue, which is the only tissue that's specifically designed to kill 99.9% of common cold and flu viruses in the tissue*. Look for the Blue Dots!

*In the tissue in 15 minutes. Virucidal against: Rhinoviruses Type 1A and 2 (Rhinoviruses are the leading cause of the common cold); Influenza A and Influenza B (causes of the flu); Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV – the leading cause of lower respiratory infection in children).

Tip #5

COUGH OR SNEEZE
INTO YOUR ELBOW

One sneeze can spray up to 3,000 infectious droplets into the air at more than 100 MPH. So if you don't have a tissue handy, use the inner-part of your sleeve at the elbow. You can help reduce the fast spread of germs.

Tip #6

THROW AWAY
USED TISSUES

Did you know? 72% of moms surveyed feel cleaning up piles of facial tissues in the house when a family member is sick has contributed to their cold or flu. Toss out your used tissue immediately after use. It just makes sense.

Tip #7

GET ENOUGH
SLEEP

Kids 3-5 years old need 11-13 hours of sleep every night. If they are 6-12 years old, they’ll need 9-11 hours. And adults should get no less than 8 hours per night. This helps empower your immune system.

Tip #8

STAY
HYDRATED

Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. After all, our bodies are mostly water, and the ongoing intake of water is essential to our every bodily function. This is a proven way to strengthen your immune system and helps you "flush" your body clean.

Tip #9

EAT
BREAKFAST

Proper nutrition can help you fight against the cold and flu virus. It also helps to keep you more alert and improves concentration throughout the day.

Tip #10

STAY HOME IF SICK

An estimated 125 million workdays are missed by parents who stay home with a sick child. With this in mind, keep kids home when they've come down with the cold or flu, so as to not spread these viruses to others. The same holds true for adults. Don't get your workplace sick because you had to prove how "tough" you were. The work will wait.

Tip #11

EXERCISE & STAY ACTIVE

Do something active like running, walking, playing, cycling, or swimming for 60 minutes every day. It's not just your muscles that are getting stronger; exercise helps strengthen your immune system, too.