4 Ways to Stop the Flu Virus From Spreading That You Might Not Be Trying Yet

You've probably already heard about how horrible the flu is this year. Even if you think it's just being overblown, you might still find yourself washing your hands more than usual.

There are a few other tactics to help stop you avoid contracting or spreading the virus beyond hand washing that you might not have thought up yet. TheBlaze has pulled together a few for consideration:

• Stop shaking hands: As impolite as it might sound, if you have some sort of sickness, politely giving someone a nod instead of a handshake and explaining that you're a bit under the weather and don't want to spread it will most likely be much appreciated by the person with the outreached arm -- although they might take a step back from you at the same time. In fact, a youth soccer league in New York banned hand shakes and high-fives during this flu season to prevent the spread among its players.

If you must shake hands, maybe do this ... (Photo: Shutterstock.com)

...or this. (Photo: Shutterstock.com)

• Don't cough into your hand: You might think it's gross to catch your cough or sneeze with your arm or sleeve, but it's better than using your hand. Using the crook of your arm instead could help prevent the spread of germs to others. Let Elmo and Rosita from Sesame Street show you how it's done:

• Wipe off your cart: Most grocery stores now have handy disinfectant wipes that you can use to clean off your cart or basket handle. It's a small move but, hey, it's something. This also might be a good practice since studies have shown 50 percent of grocery store carts have E. coli on them.

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

• Stay at home: This is directed more at people who are already sick. Although it might seem like common sense, for those in the workforce specifically the decision to say home is one many wrestle with. Belinda Lopez told WOOD TV 8 in Michigan that it often depends on how much sick time an employee has. "You can only use so many hours. So you can't stay home the whole time. But if you have one or two days you're really bad and need to stay in bed, then stay in bed," Lopez, who works for the Kent County prosecutor's office, said. Watch WOOD TV's report:

Check out more tips from the CDC here.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.