When cold season approaches, many people take precautions to avoid colds and flu. The flu shot is a first line of defense. Doctor's offices and pharmacies dispense shots. Many clinics, community groups, and public health departments offer free shots. Healthy eating, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough sleep are also important guards against winter illness.
The most important step of all, in order to stay well during cold season, is washing your hands frequently, Colds and flu are transmitted through your hands. The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus. You pick up and pass on flu and cold viruses whenever you touch surfaces contaminated by other people. Doorknobs, handles, faucets, food-cart and basket handles, elevator buttons, public phones, tables, and trays, to name a few, can all carry viruses and bacteria. Touching your nose or rubbing your eyes after an outing are the quickest way to pick up germs on your hands. So, pay attention and keep washing!
Washing your hands frequently and properly is crucial in preventing the spread of colds and flu during the cold season. Cold and flu viruses can easily be transmitted through touch, so it's important to wash your hands regularly to minimize the risk of catching or spreading these illnesses.
Commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, handles, and elevator buttons, can harbor germs and viruses. By touching these surfaces and then touching your face, specifically your nose and eyes, you increase the likelihood of infection.
To properly wash your hands, you should use warm water and soap, lathering for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to clean all areas of your hands, including the back, between fingers, and under your nails. Rinse your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel or air dryer.
Aside from frequent handwashing, other precautions can also help in staying well during the cold season. Getting a flu shot is highly recommended as it offers protection against the most common strains of the flu virus. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough sleep are all important in boosting your immune system and preventing illness.
In summary, washing your hands frequently and properly is the most important step in staying well during the cold season. Along with other precautions like getting vaccinated and practicing healthy habits, this simple action can help minimize the spread of colds and flu and keep you healthy.
In three to five sentences, identify the main claim of the passage and explain some examples of supports for that claim. Identify a sentence in the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail.
The main claim of the passage is that washing your hands frequently is the most important step to stay well during cold season, as cold and flu viruses are transmitted through touch. Examples of supports for this claim include the fact that common surfaces like doorknobs and elevator buttons can carry germs, touching your face after touching these surfaces increases the risk of infection, and proper handwashing can effectively remove these viruses from your hands.
An example of a sentence in the second paragraph that contains an irrelevant detail is: "The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus." This detail about the specific type of cold virus is not necessary to support the main claim of the importance of handwashing or to explain the transmission of colds and flu. It is an additional piece of information that does not contribute directly to the main argument.