Whether it’s holiday parties, crowded stores or weather keeping families indoors, times of togetherness are one of the reasons that cases of the flu, stomach viruses and respiratory illnesses increase during wintertime.
What can you do to help ensure you stay healthy?
The Harvard Medical School has advice:
Wash your hands – often. Wet your hands, lather up with soap and scrub for 20 seconds after you:
- Shake or touch someone else’s hands
- Return home from being out
- Prepare or eat food
- Take your medication
- Blow your nose
Cover your nose and mouth in public. Germs can transfer easily from person to person in crowded settings. Harvard suggests wearing a facemask, “especially those labeled N95 or KN95,” to help prevent viruses from entering your nose or mouth.
Schedule your vaccines. “Vaccinations for COVID-19, RSV (for people ages 60 or older) and the flu have been shown to prevent people from getting severe illness,” Harvard says.
Maintain your distance. Is a family member or loved one sick? It’s best to keep your distance until they’re feeling better. If you’re helping to care for them or will be nearby, wear a mask and consider using disposable exam gloves if you’re touching surfaces that may have their germs.
Keep it clean. Make sure you properly disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with an ill person. “Use commercial disinfectants or a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution,” Harvard says. “To disinfect surfaces contaminated by gastrointestinal bugs, use products that contain bleach or quaternary ammonium.” Important: Never use bleach together with other cleaning products – it can produce toxic fumes.
