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 preserve individuals 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 wreck the vacation season. 

To remain wholesome throughout this time of yr, take into account 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 in the course of the vacation season.

Get vaccinated 

This fall was the primary time vaccines grew to become 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. 

In accordance with 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 threat for extreme RSV sickness corresponding 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 an effective 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 can even assist those that are extra susceptible to respiratory viruses by limiting the unfold of germs. 

Placing collectively a well being package to your travels can be an effective 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, take into account bug spray, SPF, hand sanitizer and tylenol. 

Forestall the unfold 

When you do end up sick, keep house! The easiest way to guard others is by staying house when you’re feeling below the climate.  If that’s not doable, do your greatest to isolate your self whilst you’re recovering. 

Keep 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 in a position to get to heat water and cleaning soap, utilizing hand sanitizer with at the least 60% of alcohol will assist kill germs.  

You can even get examined for COVID-19, RSV and the flu. Realizing what you might have will aid you decide what therapy choices you might have and the way lengthy it is best to isolate to forestall others from getting sick. In case you are involved about your signs, discuss to your healthcare supplier. 

When you check constructive for COVID-19, treatment needs to be began inside 5 days of the beginning of your signs. Flu treatment ought to begin inside 2 days. “The earlier you begin treatment 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, take into account the next actions: 

Get vaccinated towards RSV, COVID-19 and the flu earlier than vacation gatherings.
Keep in mind to clean 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 when you 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 greatest. When you do grow 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” instrument will help you discover a Dignity Well being Medical Group doctor close to you.