By Barbara Pierce
Tis the season to get sick. Colds, flu and respiratory illnesses will be at their peak this winter. We’re traveling more, spending more time with others, inside more. All these mean viruses pass more easily from one person to another. Babies, older folks and those with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible.
William McCue, regional chief of primary care, Bassett Healthcare Network, suggests tips to prevent some of the most common illnesses common during the holiday season. Outsmart germs with these simple strategies:
1. Wash your hands frequently: “The simplest of things are the most effective,” said McCue. “That’s the case with all these illnesses. The simplest thing to do is hand-washing.”
Colds are typically infections of the nose and throat, caused by more than 200 different respiratory viruses. Colds are highly contagious.
Hand-washing is the easiest way to prevent the spread of cold germs. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching commonly touched surfaces, including pens, pencils, public doorknobs and light switches, grocery carts, etc. unless necessary. If others use your work station, wipe down your keyboard, phone and mouse after them. Germs can be transmitted by spray from coughs and sneezes.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses live on your hands and easily enter your body this way.
Though there’s no cure for a cold, rest and keeping hydrated will help you feel better. Most colds reach the peak of their severity between three to five days. Over-the-counter medicines can ease your symptoms. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication, including OTC medications. Not all medications are safe to take. Always read the label and use medications only as directed. Antibiotics are not useful to treat a cold.
2. Get a flu shot: “A flu shot is the most important thing I do for the people I treat,” said McCue.
It works by causing the body to develop antibodies that provide protection against the flu.
CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine every year to reduce the risk of getting the flu and its complications. As well as reducing the risk that you’ll get the flu, the shot decreases the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from the flu.
The flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Often mistaken for a cold, flu tends to present quickly and severely. Coughing, sore throat, headaches, body aches and high fever are common flu symptoms. OTC fever reducing medication helps.
“Tamiflu helps to reduce the length and severity of the flu,” added McCue.
Tamiflu is a prescription medication.
3. Get vaccinated: “Get vaccinated for COVID and pneumonia if needed,” advised McCue.
The pandemic may be over, but we’ve still got COVID to worry about. New variants of the disease continue to pop up.
“If you’re over 70, It’s highly recommended that you get vaccinated as your immune system is more sluggish,” said McCue. “If you’re over 50 and have a risk factor like diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, get vaccinated.”
“Treatment for COVID works extremely well,” he added. “Start treatment within the first five days to reduce illness. Most pneumonia are bacterial. Therefore, getting vaccinated is important.”
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a risk for older adults and infants younger than 12 months. RSV is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, including nasal congestion, cough, fever, wheezing and dehydration. It can last one to two weeks and has the potential to become serious.
“Pregnant women should get vaccinated for RSV at 36 weeks to protect the infant,” advised McCue.
Norovirus, also known as stomach flu, is extremely contagious and rages during the winter, leading to severe vomiting and diarrhea.
“There’s no vaccine or treatment,” said McCue. “Push fluids with electrolytes and eat a bland diet.”
(Fluids with electrolytes: Gatorade, Pedialyte, etc.; bland foods include foods that are easy to digest — eggs, broth, pudding, cream of wheat, tofu, lean meat.)
Symptoms tend to last only one to three days. If anyone in your family has this bug, avoid contact as much as possible and wash your hands frequently.
4. Other preventive actions: “Get adequate sleep, eat healthy and stay active,” suggested McCue. “Cardio activities help boost our immune system.”
Tired, run-down people are more susceptible to germs. Drink plenty of fluids.
5. When to see your health care professional: While most of these illnesses will run their course without intervention, see a professional if your symptoms worsen.
Monitor your temperature if you’re getting sick. For adults, a high fever is one that is above 100.5 degrees. “See your health care professional if you have fever for a week,” suggested McCue.
C
ontact your health care professional if you have difficulty breathing; a cough that gets worse while other cold symptoms improve; or flare-up of any chronic lung condition.
If your child is younger than 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4 °F or higher, call your health care professional right away.