15-year-old Cystic Fibrosis Advocate and Ambassador Benat Broderick is sharing his top tips to prevent spreading germs during flu season. All of Benat's tips have been approved by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland's Research and Policy Officer and Member Services Coordinator.
January may be coming to an end but the temperatures in Ireland continue to drop, which means the chances of catching the flu or even a head cold are still extremely likely.
This is a hard time, especially for those who have a low immune system like myself or the elderly community who find it harder to fight off bugs.
I have Cystic Fibrosis, which is a genetically inherited disease that primarily effects the lungs, and I find Winter time to be the most difficult.
Trying to stay well and not catch anything really proves a challenge. This time of the year is when I like to hibernate and stay warm, trying to limit myself from being out in the cold and hide from people who are sick, even though it’s not always possible.
If I catch a cold, I could be bed bound for weeks and even be admitted into hospital for a few weeks, to fight off whatever I picked up.
Finally getting out of the ward for a walk!@CMRF_Crumlin @cf_ireland pic.twitter.com/nGIMb0HHJr
— Benat Broderick (@BenatBroderick) May 19, 2018
What can you do to prevent spreading germs to people?
1. Cover up. Always cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose.
2. Wash your hands. Washing your hands prevents illnesses and the spread of infection to others. Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands which helps to prevent infections.
3. Steer clear. When you're sick you should try your best to stay away from family members and co-workers until you are clear of your illness.
4. Vaccinate. If you have a low immune system or are an elderly person, you should consider getting the flu vaccine to help prevent yourself from getting the flu.
5. Carry hand gel. Carrying antibacterial hand gel is something I encourage people to do as the alcohol-based hand gels kill most types of bacteria and help to stop spreading any bugs.
As obvious as it may seem, people still don’t always do what they should. If there’s anything you take away from this, it’s try your best to avoid spreading germs.
- Words by Benat Broderick
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has its National Fundraising Day ‘65 Roses Day’ on Friday, April 12th, 2019. If you would like to help out or learn more visit.
Benat spoke to Ryan Tubridy on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning, you can listen back on the video above. Benat's interview begins at the 18:30 mark.
