OU-Tulsa To Hold Flu Facts Forum

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The flu bug is biting early this year.  The Oklahoma Department of Health says the flu is widespread across the state and there are seven new cases of the H1N1 virus.  We all know by now that washing your hands is the number one way to prevent the spread of the flu.  But, you may not wash your hands as well as you think.

From the phone to the keyboard to the vending machines, germs are lurking on virtually every surface.   It only takes one sneeze for those germs to go from a sick coworker to the fridge to your hands and mouth. And, just like that, you're sick with the flu.

"It's fever, chills, aches, cough, runny nose. Really that sort of thing," said Renee Engleking, RN.

The number one way to keep the flu bug away is to lather up.  But, the way you wash may not be good enough.

"The point is that these germs move and you don't even realize how they are transferring from place to place," said Renee Engleking, RN.

The best way to wash you hands is to wet your hands with warm, running water and apply soap, lather well and rub your hands vigorously.

"Not a full surgeon's scrub, but a definite at least 20 seconds," said Tracy Kennedy with OU-Tulsa. 

Scrub all surfaces including the back of your hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails. Make sure you rinse well and then dry your hands with a clean towel and use a towel to turn off the faucet.

"Everybody's always in a hurry and you just wash and think you did a good job and covered it. But, a demonstration like this really shows you what we miss," said Tracy Kennedy with OU-Tulsa.

OU-Tulsa is hosting a free public Flu Facts Forum on September 17th.