For weeks now, the flu season has been upon us, with 41 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2018-19 season so far, as reported recently by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Despite these deaths, research seems to indicate that Americans are conscious of the flu’s potential impact on their health and are taking preventive measures to combat it.

As many as 75 percent of people say they are more vigilant about their hand hygiene in response to virus outbreaks. On this note, they wash their hands more frequently and even more thoroughly and longer, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corporation.

The CDC says hand-washing is the easiest and most effective defense against illness. For facilities, this news is one of the best for an often-unhealthy time of year. According to the survey, half of adults are making a conscious effort to drink more fluids to reduce their likelihood of catching a cold or the flu. Others say they avoid touching their face, mouth and nose.

The findings are part of the 10th annual "Healthy Hand Washing Survey" that procured responses from 1,264 adults in the United States from Jan. 3-8.

The survey also found that that sick Americans are considerate of their co-workers — more than half stay home to avoid passing their germs onto others in their work environments. These same folks also wash their hands more frequently, "use antibacterial soap whenever possible, sneeze into the crook of their elbow and avoid shaking hands."

Likewise, nearly two out of three Americans believe their hands are less germy after washing with soap and water than after using hand sanitizer — a fact the CDC supports. According to the CDC, hand sanitizer can be beneficial, but washing with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs.

"The proper way to wash is to use clean water and soap. Rub your hands together and scrub front, back and in between your fingers for at least 20 seconds. Finally, rinse and dry," said medical microbiologist Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., professor of biology, at Saint Joseph's University. "Thorough hand washing with a scrubbing motion is highly effective in removing bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing microorganisms from the surface of the skin."

However, despite the vigilance of employees, employers should prepare for the flu season, too. Resources like "How to Handle Communicable Diseases in the Workplace" can be helpful. However, continuity plans must focus should be the solution to this problem, and facility managers and leaders should consider some of the following questions:

• How many absences can we handle before business operations are interrupted?
• How do we keep operations running during an interruption?
• What changes can we make to keep the business operating effectively?

"Employers will likely need to review, modify or even create policies when planning for an epidemic," authors of the handbook write. The changes, and the duration of the changes, will need to be communicated and when a policy is temporary, employers should communicate this fact as well.

The CDC's Information for Business & Employers offers many free resources.

Many of the most commonly suggested preventive measures are inexpensive and easy to obtain, researchers note. These include "providing tissues and hand sanitizers to employees" and educating employees on proper ways of washing hands and what to do if flu-like symptoms develop.

"Communication on these precautions should occur frequently with employees, and employers should hang posters in bathrooms and eating areas on the proper way to stop the spread of germs," researchers state. "Depending on the industry and employee's proximity to others, an employer may also wish to provide respirators or masks to employees in the workplace to further hinder the spread of airborne germs."

Finally, consider relying on materials provided by the CDC, for example, including "CDC Print Materials: Flu Posters" and "Health and Prevention: Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work Policy." Facility managers and employers may also want to add CDC flu content resources to their employee gathering spaces and to their information sharing portals.