Here’s a comprehensive look at the five things doctors never do during cold and flu season to stay healthy and protect those around them.
As the chilly months approach and people huddle indoors, the risk of respiratory illnesses like the flu, colds, and COVID-19 escalates. During this season, healthcare professionals exemplify practices that safeguard their health and prevent the spread of contagious infections.
Take a look at this comprehensive guide below:
5 Things Doctors Never Do During Cold And Flu Season
1. Prioritize Flu Vaccination:
Health experts, including Dr. Marie-Louise Landry, underscore the significance of not skipping or delaying the flu shot. It’s a key defense against severe flu-related complications. Doctors recommend annual vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, with only a few rare exceptions. To maximize protection, individuals should promptly receive the flu vaccine when it becomes available in their community.
2. Avoiding Public Spaces When Sick:
In alignment with Dr. Richard A. Martinello’s advice, healthcare professionals never go to work or school when they’re ill with the flu or a cold. Recognizing the risk they pose to their colleagues and peers, they prioritize staying home. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who test positive for the flu can transmit the virus to others, making this practice essential in reducing transmission rates.
3. Mask Up in Public:
Dr. John Swartzberg emphasizes the importance of wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95 or KN95, when venturing into public spaces while sick. Masks act as a barrier against respiratory droplets containing viruses. Wearing masks indoors or outdoors, especially when in close proximity to others, significantly decreases the risk of viral transmission through coughs or sneezes.
4. Consistent Hand Hygiene:
Doctors, including Martinello and Swartzberg, stress the necessity of maintaining proper hand hygiene during cold and flu season. Frequent hand-washing, with soap and water, is critical to reduce the risk of infection. Contaminated hands can transfer viruses to the face, leading to illness. When access to soap and water is limited, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers serves as a temporary disinfectant.
5. Prioritize Rest:
Dr. Tamika Henry, a family physician, underscores the importance of getting adequate rest when sick. Often, individuals attempt to push through their routines despite physical discomfort. However, the body sends signals for rest, which should not be ignored. Sleep aids in a faster recovery from cold and flu symptoms, which can linger for up to two weeks. Inadequate sleep can increase inflammation and compromise the immune response, prolonging recovery time.
By adhering to these practices recommended by healthcare experts, individuals can fortify their defenses against the perils of cold and flu season.
Prioritizing timely vaccination, staying home when unwell, wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and getting adequate rest are essential steps to safeguarding one’s health and those of others during this challenging time of the year.
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