A LITTLE COMMON SENSE
This time of the year no matter where you go it seems that someone around you is sick. I’m often asked by a patient who is sick how contagious they are. The answer is that they usually are! That is why it is so important to know how you get sick and what you can do to prevent getting sick. Sickness is usually caused by either bacteria or viruses that are spread in various ways. If you decrease your exposure to these “germs”, you can decrease how often you get sick. The way you do this is just common sense things.
To cause you to get sick a germ has to get inside you mainly through your mouth or nose. One of the more common ways is when you have germs on your hands and you stick them into your mouth. That is why the most important thing you can do to prevent illness is washing your hands. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap if available, but if not then just rinsing your hands would be helpful. If you aren’t able to wash your hands then make an effort to keep your hands away from your face until you are able to.
It’s a good idea to keep antibacterial gel or wipes available which can be used to kill the germs on your hands if water is not available. Also these wipes are helpful to clean surfaces that could be contaminated such as telephones, shopping cart handles, or public bathroom facilities.
Stay away from people that are sick. Sounds like a no brainer but it’s amazing how people don’t. Being in close contact with someone that is sick greatly increases your chances of getting sick. That is why often you will hear a whole family being sick at the same time. If someone is obviously sick there are several things you should do. Don’t shake their hands as they have probably coughed or sneezed into their hands andare covered with the germ that made them sick. If you are talking to them do not get close up to their faces as just talking with them can spread respiratory droplets mouth to mouth or nose. Of course avoid kissing or hugging anyone that is sick as well. Do not drink after anyone as this is just asking to be sick.
Keep your body in a strong state which can help you fight off getting sick if you do get exposed. Some things you can do to keep your body in a good state of health are: get a full night sleep, eat three well balanced meals a day, take a multivitamin daily, and avoid getting chilled. There is no guarantee that you won’t get sick, but doing common sense things can help decrease the chances that you do get sick.
If you are unfortunate enough to get sick, please cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze as nobody else wants to be sick.
Here’s hoping you stay health.