It is inevitable that at some point while doing your job as a truck driver, you are going to get sick with a cold or the flu. In most cases, you can keep driving utilizing normal first aid items such as cold/flu medicines. However, this year health care officials are warning people to take extra precautions for the upcoming flu season.
In a trucker's daily routines, you are in daily contact with cross-country connections made at truck stops and loading docks, ideal situations where we are sharing the same organisms that live on doorknobs, etc. The most important thing that can be done to prevent the flu is good hand washing practices. Studies have shown that 40 to 60 percent of people do not wash their hands after using a restroom. And those that do wash do not always know the proper technique. In order to be effective, hands should be washed with soap for 20-25 seconds. The three keys are soap, friction and water. Hand sanitizers are an acceptable substitute if traditional hand washing is not an option. Once again, use friction to wash as friction kills more germs.
In addition to good hand washing practices, eating right (don't always give in to the fast foods smell at the truck stops), drink lots of liquids, preferably water as it rids you of mucous and keeps you hydrated, get plenty of rest, and get some exercise (jog or walk around the rest areas). Colds and the flu usually go away on their own within a week, but medical attention should be sought if you have an existing illness or if new unexpected symptoms appear. Remember to get your flu shot.
Source: Professional Safety Consulting