As fall gets under way, you might be looking forward to the kids being back in school or thinking about the upcoming holiday season. But as temperatures drop, the risk of illness starts to climb. Flu season in the United States officially starts in October, and cases of the common cold usually tick up during fall and winter, too.
So does busyness. With school activities and all the events that usually accompany the holidays, life is easier when you don’t have to drop everything to manage an illness. That’s why our team at SmartClinic Urgent Care developed the guide below to help you proactively lower your risk of getting sick this fall and winter.
As cold and flu season gets underway, these tips will help you prep your body, protect yourself against these viruses, and prepare your household if they do affect you or a loved one.
The best thing you can do to avoid getting sidelined by the flu is get the flu shot. It’s specifically formulated each year to help your body defend itself against the most common strains of influenza (the flu) going around right now.
Taking a few minutes to get this line of protection in place can help you avoid days or even weeks of illness.
Getting plenty of rest and keeping your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet support your overall wellness. This helps your body fend off the cold and flu viruses if you do come into contact with them.
As flu and cold cases increase, the viruses behind these illnesses are probably living on more surfaces around you.
Wash your hands every chance you get, and use hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to soap and water. It’s extra important to clean your hands before you eat during this time of year.
Also, avoid touching your face. If you don’t, you could unwittingly give the virus easier access to your body.
Make it a part of your cleaning routine to go over high-touch surfaces in your household with a disinfectant. Doorknobs, light switches, and remotes are particularly important areas to hit during cold and flu season.
There are a few essentials you should have on hand, including:
A humidifier and a heating pad for any body aches that come with the flu can also be helpful.
If you or one of your family members does get sick, our urgent care team specializes in treating the flu and the common cold, along with related conditions like bronchitis.
To start prepping your body now, get your flu shot. Call SmartClinic Urgent Care to schedule a convenient time or simply walk into either of our locations in Santa Clarita or West Covina, California.
