Over the coming weeks, Alexandrians will gather for winter fun with neighbors, friends, and family. These precious moments mark seasonal joy, but they are also the perfect opportunity for germs to spread and infect us. To help prevent illness, Alexandria Health Department is encouraging Alexandrians to practice healthy habits.

Hand Hygiene

One of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is also one of the simplest: washing your hands! Make sure you’re washing your hands properly and teach children to do the same. You should:

• Wash hands often with warm, soapy water. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean palms, the backs of hands, under nails, and in between fingers.
• Wash before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after touching surfaces you share, and after sneezing or blowing your nose.

Cleaning Up After Sickness

If someone in your household or space is sick, cleaning can help get rid of germs. Follow cleaning supply label instructions and consider cleaning more often in the winter months.

If someone has diarrhea or vomits, they may let out lots of germs that spread very easily. These germs can be hard to kill. In cases of stomach illness, use a spray or wipe with bleach to kill germs. This CDC video shows how to safely clean up vomit or poop.

Food Safety

Memories you make in the kitchen this season should always include food safety best practices!

• Wash hands, fruits, and vegetables, but don’t wash raw meat. Germy meat juices may splash around your kitchen. Instead, pat down raw meat with a paper towel. 
• Separate raw foods from cooked foods and dirty utensils from clean ones.  
• Cook meats to safe internal temperatures. Bring gravies and sauces to a boil. 
• When refrigerating, get leftovers into the fridge within 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.

What’s Going Around?

During the fall and winter, more time inside and close physical contact allow germs to spread easily among us. 

Some viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV cause respiratory illness with symptoms including coughing, sneezing, runny nose and fever. Information on respiratory illness prevention and vaccines is available on our Flu Season website. 

Also, the state of Virginia is seeing an increase of germs that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Gastrointestinal illnesses also known as "stomach bugs" can include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. While these illnesses may be more typical during the winter, they should still be taken seriously. People with severe illness should seek medical care and follow provider recommendations about treatment or ways to feel better. 

For more information, make sure to follow Alexandria Health Department on social media or stay tuned to the Health Department website. 

For media inquiries only, email Eve Elliott, Communications Officer at eve.elliott@vdh.virginia.gov or call 804.467.5160.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.