Cold and flu season is approaching, when hospitals and doctor’s offices will be extremely busy. Doctors are not immune either, but they know better than anyone how to protect themselves.
Even doctors are not immune to viruses, but they know better to protect themselves. Photo by Shutterstock
Flu season sets in in October and often peaks between December and January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to the flu, there are several other respiratory viruses circulating, such as rhinovirus and RSV, which cause cold-like symptoms. And of course, COVID is still a threat.
Doctors are not immune this time of year, but they know better than anyone how to protect themselves, HuffPost writes. Here’s what doctors say you can’t do to stay healthy:
They don’t skip the flu shot and get it on time
Skipping or delaying the flu shot can put you at risk of getting really sick from flu-related complications, explained Dr. Marie-Louise Landry, professor of laboratory medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
“I have had the flu several times in the past and have been very sick each timeshe said. “Since getting an annual flu shot, I’ve only had one outbreak, and it’s been pretty mild and short in comparison.“
Everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended to get a flu shot every season, with a few rare exceptions. You’ll want to make sure you get the vaccine as soon as it’s available in your community so your body has time to develop immunity to the virus.
They don’t go to work or school if they are sick
“I would definitely avoid going to work if I’m sick with the flu or a cold. We each have a responsibility to each other and when we go to work when we are sick, we put others around us at risk,” said Dr. Richard A. Martinello, professor of infectious diseases and pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.
Because flu and colds are spread from an infected person through droplets that reach surfaces, it’s best to stay home if you’re sick to reduce the risk of transmission. Even if you don’t have symptoms but have tested positive for the flu, you can still spread the virus to others, according to the CDC.
They don’t go out without a mask when they’re sick
In some situations, you may have to go out in public while you are sick. Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, said he won’t leave his house without a good mask, such as an N95 or KN95 mask.
“Anyone with a respiratory illness should wear a mask when indoors in public places or outdoors if around other people,” Swartzberg said. This greatly reduces the risk of airborne droplets when you cough or sneeze when you are sick.
I don’t stop washing my hands
Practicing poor hand washing hygiene can be a risk factor for catching the flu or cold. According to doctors Martinello and Swartzberg, you should make sure to keep your hands clean by washing your hands frequently.
“When our hands become contaminated after touching a surface where the virus may be present, touching our eyes or nose with those contaminated fingers can expose us and make us sick”Martinello explained.
If you’re on the go and don’t have access to soap and water, you can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a temporary sanitizer.
They do not reduce sleep time
It’s important to get enough rest while you’re sick, said Dr. Tamika Henry, a family physician at the Unlimited Health Institute.
“Many times, we try to move on and continue our work and daily chores regardless of how we feel physically”she said. “The body gives signs and signals that it needs rest, but we continue to go about our business as if we have nothing, which can negatively affect our health.“
The good news is that sleep can help you recover faster from a cold or flu, as symptoms can last up to two weeks.
“Not getting enough sleep is associated with increased inflammation and a decreased immune response, which can prolong the time it takes to recover from illness,” said Matthew Weaver, an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
By making sure you prioritize healthy habits, you’ll have the best chance of staying disease-free during the toughest season of the year.
