Holiday health tips from an urgent care physician

The vacation season is a busy time of yr, marked with social gatherings and journey plans that maintain folks on the transfer. It’s additionally a time when respiratory viruses like COVID-19, the flu and RSV are inclined to surge. Whether or not you are visiting family members or lastly attending to get pleasure from a much-needed seashore trip, don’t let sickness break the vacation season. 

To remain wholesome throughout this time of yr, think about taking just a few precautionary measures. Reyn Higa, MD a Household Medication doctor with Dignity Well being Pressing Care in Northridge, shares tricks to keep wholesome through the vacation season.

Get vaccinated 

Vaccines are actually obtainable to guard towards COVID-19, RSV and the flu. Getting vaccinated stays the easiest way to guard your self and family members from respiratory viruses. 

Based on the CDC, “everybody ages 6 months and older ought to get a flu vaccine and up to date COVID-19 vaccination this fall.” The CDC additionally recommends an RSV immunization for some teams at larger threat for extreme RSV sickness similar to adults older than 60 and infants. 

As the vacations deliver extra indoor gatherings and elevated travels, viruses are inclined to unfold extra simply. When you’re gearing as much as journey or anticipating spending time with family and friends, there’s nonetheless time to get your vaccines. 

Journey safely

Masking continues to be a good way to forestall the unfold of an infection, particularly when touring. Utilizing a top quality masks or respirator can mitigate the unfold of viruses, particularly when you end up in crowded areas with poor air circulation for an prolonged time period, like public transportation. Carrying a masks may assist those that are extra susceptible to respiratory viruses by limiting the unfold of germs. 

Placing collectively a well being package in your travels can be a good way to get forward of any healthcare wants you’ll have whilst you’re on the transfer. Be sure you are stocked with any prescription and over-the-counter medicines you would possibly want. Relying on the place you’re headed, think about bug spray, SPF, hand sanitizer and tylenol. 

Stop the unfold 

When you do end up sick, keep residence! One of the simplest ways to guard others is by staying residence for those who’re feeling below the climate.  If that’s not attainable, do your greatest to isolate your self whilst you’re recovering. 

Bear in mind to all the time cowl coughs and sneezes in your elbow or with a tissue and all the time wash your arms. Washing your arms with cleaning soap helps kill viruses which may be dwelling on the pores and skin. When you aren’t capable of get to heat water and cleaning soap, utilizing hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% of alcohol will assist kill germs.  

You can too get examined for COVID-19, RSV and the flu. Figuring out what you’ve got will enable you to decide what remedy choices you’ve got and the way lengthy it is best to isolate to forestall others from getting sick. In case you are involved about your signs, speak to your healthcare supplier. 

When you check constructive for COVID-19, remedy needs to be began inside 5 days of the beginning of your signs. Flu remedy ought to begin inside 2 days. “The earlier you begin remedy for COVID-19 or flu, the higher,” says Dr. Higa.

Key takeaways 

The vacations are a festive and enjoyable time of yr however include an elevated threat of sickness. To guard your self and family members, think about the next actions: 

Get vaccinated towards RSV, COVID-19 and the flu earlier than vacation gatherings.
Bear in mind to clean your arms, cowl coughs and sneezes, and keep residence if feeling sick.
Masks-up on planes and trains as a preventative measure.
Converse to your supplier for those who expertise signs of both RSV, COVID-19 or the flu.

Regardless of being a busy time of yr, attempt to get loads of relaxation and keep hydrated to maintain feeling your greatest. When you do turn out to be sick, communicate together with your healthcare supplier in case your signs worsen or proceed for longer than two weeks. Our “Discover a Physician” software will help you discover a Dignity Well being Medical Group doctor close to you.