We can lower your risk of catching or spreading a viral disease by:
- Abstaining from sexual activity, or only engaging in sexual activities within a mutually monogamous relationship in which neither partner is infected with a sexually transmitted disease
- Avoiding contact of your hands with your eyes, nose and mouth, which can transmit a virus into the body
- Avoiding contact with a person who has a viral disease
- Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow (not your hand) or a tissue when sneezing or coughing
- Eating a well-balanced diet that includes sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables
- Sufficient rest
- Using a new condom for each sex act
- Using a sterile, unused needle for each act of tattooing or injectable drug use
- Using appropriate antibacterial cleaners to clean your hands and surfaces
- Vaccination as recommended by your health care provider for viral diseases, such as chickenpox, shingles, influenza, HPV, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, measles, and mumps
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds after contact with a person who has a viral disease, before eating, or after using the restroom or touching feces, body fluids, surfaces, or foods that are potentially contaminated with viruses.
