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 individuals on the transfer. It’s additionally a time when respiratory viruses like COVID-19, the flu and RSV are likely to surge. Whether or not you are visiting family members or lastly attending to get pleasure from a much-needed seaside trip, don’t let sickness smash the vacation season. 

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

Get vaccinated 

Vaccines are actually out there 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 increased danger for extreme RSV sickness comparable to adults older than 60 and infants. 

As the vacations convey extra indoor gatherings and elevated travels, viruses are likely to unfold extra simply. In the event 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. Sporting a masks may assist those that are extra susceptible to respiratory viruses by limiting the unfold of germs. 

Placing collectively a well being equipment on your travels can also be a good way to get forward of any healthcare wants you might have when you’re on the transfer. Ensure you are stocked with any prescription and over-the-counter drugs you would possibly want. Relying on the place you’re headed, think about bug spray, SPF, hand sanitizer and tylenol. 

Forestall the unfold 

In the event you do end up sick, keep house! One of the simplest ways to guard others is by staying house for those who’re feeling beneath the climate.  If that’s not doable, do your finest to isolate your self when you’re recovering. 

Bear in mind to at all times cowl coughs and sneezes in your elbow or with a tissue and at all times wash your arms. Washing your arms with cleaning soap helps kill viruses which may be dwelling on the pores and skin. In the event you aren’t in a position to get to heat water and cleaning soap, utilizing hand sanitizer with no less than 60% of alcohol will assist kill germs.  

You can too get examined for COVID-19, RSV and the flu. Understanding what you’ve got will assist you to decide what therapy choices you’ve got and the way lengthy you must isolate to forestall others from getting sick. In case you are involved about your signs, speak to your healthcare supplier. 

In the event you check constructive for COVID-19, medicine ought to be began inside 5 days of the beginning of your signs. Flu medicine ought to begin inside 2 days. “The earlier you begin medicine 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 danger 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 scrub your arms, cowl coughs and sneezes, and keep house if feeling sick.
Masks-up on planes and trains as a preventative measure.
Communicate to your supplier for those who expertise signs of both RSV, COVID-19 or the flu.

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