THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995               TAG: 9510130171
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 05   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   41 lines

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DRINK FROM THEIR BOTTLE

Be a friend and don't share your drink.

The Chesapeake Health Department has encouraged citizens to resist the urge to share bottled water or sodas or tea with friends or family.

That's one of the quickest ways to spread contagious diseases, including colds, flu or even viral meningitis, said Chesapeake Health Department director Nancy Welch.

``Don't share your bottled water with anyone. You could be spreading germs,'' she said. ``We've especially seen it with young people who bring their own bottled water to school or buy it there because of the city's water problems. Then, like all friends do, they want to share with each other. We're just urging people to be very cautious.''

The Chesapeake Health Department's warning was the result of observing a few early outbreaks of colds or flu.

``We have already had a lot of viral infections for it to be this early in the season,'' she said.

Welch said germs that cause sore throats and colds along with viral and bacterial meningitis are easily spread by respiratory droplets and saliva.

``And you can't always tell if someone has the germ since germs are often present before there are any symptoms,'' Welch explained. ``So someone may look and feel healthy but actually be contagious or capable of spreading infection.''

Welch said the most common symptoms are cough, headache, runny nose, aches and fever.

``The healthiest thing to do is to only drink out of your own container and don't put someone else at risk by sharing your drink,'' she said.

For more information, contact the Chesapeake Health Department at 436-8629. by CNB