I’m putting on the nurse hat, mommy hat and giving you tips on how not to get sick this cold and flu season.
Last week at work, I walked through the emergency department to administer chemotherapy to a patient. I’ve been to the ED a handful of times when Chris and Jason needed medical attention but never has it reeked of sickness and gloom. I knew it was busy because gurnies were placed outside the rooms for more patients. All the rooms were full. They were busting at the seams. I rushed through trying not to inhale or touch anything because I knew I couldn’t afford to bring anything home. So, it got me thinking – what are ways to not get sick (again).
Get your flu shot. It is not too late! There is a nasty strain of the flu this year and it is accounting for 80% of flu cases.
I know, I know. You may or may not believe in vaccinations but disease and death are real folks. People are dying from the flu – in California, there have been nearly 100 flu-related deaths and the flu season hasn’t even peaked yet. I’m sure some of those people probably got their flu shots but the reality is, maybe they didn’t. This year’s strain is being linked to the deadly pneumonia that is a complication of the flu.
Even though the efficacy this year of the vaccine is probably around 10-30%, wouldn’t you have those odds than 0% chance?
The flu shot itself is an inactivated form of the virus so you can’t get influenza from the shot.
Fact: Chris, my transplant kid, can’t get any attenuated or “live” vaccines. His last live vaccination was before his transplant when he was one and a half years old. By you getting the flu vaccine, you are unconsciously providing him with herd immunity. Herd immunity means the illness can’t spread because lots of people are vaccinated against it so an outbreak is less likely to occur.
Herd immunity protects those most vulnerable including the smallest, the oldest, and the immunocompromised.
Wash your hands. Simple enough and the most effective way to not get sick. We wash hands (hopefully) after using the rest room and before meals so frequent hand washing is important. And it doesn’t have to be fancy. Regular soap and water is ok for 20 seconds or more.
Sneeze into your elbows. The common cold aka rhinovirus is spread via droplet particles. Learn to not spread droplets into the air by dabbing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands. Instructions here.
Don’t touch your face. Our skin protects us from germs. The only real place where the skin is “open” is your face so don’t touch your face. We unknowingly touch our face 3.6 times an hour! You’re probably touching your face right now. Try not to touch your face!
Wear a jacket. When I was younger, I used to think my mom was messing with me when she would bundle me up like I was about to walk into a snowstorm when in reality, it was a brisk 51-degree San Francisco morning. Think of Ralphie from A Christmas Story bundled up! It turns out my mom was on to something. When your body is cold, it lowers your immunity and your body becomes susceptible to germs. This is why the rhinovirus does better in a cool nasal passage than the core body. Listen to your mom: bundle up and keep warm.
Get a vitamin boost? I’m not too sure about this but doesn’t your nose clear up when you drink a glass of orange juice? Vitamin C for colds and flu has been debated over 70 years and there is still no clear answer if Vitamin C helps. This also goes for Airborne, which settled a $23 million lawsuit for false advertising in 2008. Alternatively, zinc (i.e. Zicam) has been touted to reduce the severity of colds but there is no evidence to show this either.
Don’t go to work or school sick. I’ve mentioned this before but if you have sick leave (or not), do not go to work coughing and hacking and fevering all over your coworkers. You’d do the whole office a favor by staying home. If you must (and I know some of you), wear a mask, a red Scarlet letter, and walk around with a bottle of hand sanitizer for everything you touch. Thank you. Not. Don’t go to work sick!
Rest and sleep. When all else fails and you think you’re starting to feel sick – REST. SLEEP. Give your body a fighting chance to rid the germs and viruses. It is the perfect time to veg out on the couch and catch up on your Netflix or Youtube. Don’t forget to grab the chicken noodle soup and your favorite symptom management meds. I opt for a sleeping pill, a fever reducer and pain pill like Tylenol, and maybe a decongestant so I don’t give my lungs a chance to brew a pneumonia. Get it all out! Only take the meds per the symptom!
There is a longstanding mantra in our house when someone is sick.
Me: Boys, what is the best medicine?
Boys: Sleep. <insert eye roll here>
When to go to the doctor
Listen to you gut or mommy intuition. If you’re alternating Tylenol and Motrin and the fever hasn’t gone down; if you can’t breathe(!); if you can’t keep any liquids down; if your tears are tearless; first, don’t panic and second, get medical attention.
The emergency department is for emergencies in this order: Airway, Breathing, Circulation. If you’re not this sick (and be grateful you aren’t), you will have to wait so be patient. There is a saying that healthcare workers only go to the doctor when we’re (almost) dying and this is true. I was pleading with Jason not to call the ambulance when I fainted but he did anyways. I got fast tracked through the ED, they did the appropriate slew of diagnostic tests, and they gave me IV fluids. I’m grateful he called.
So, listen to your gut and seek medical attention when it just doesn’t feel right. Better be safe than sorry.
Disclaimer: This article is about general health and the post and links should not be construed as medical advice. If you have medical concerns, please seek the advice of a licensed physician and do not delay medical care. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 and get to a ED stat.
