RSV, Flu, and COVID…Oh My!
Here we are at the beginning of November. It's time for cocoa, fireplaces, snuggling in your favorite blanket, and enjoying the cold weather. The holiday season is upon us…but so are the common cold (RSV), flu, and COVID. These viruses take a toll on the population year-round, but mostly in the winter months. Why? Most of us are in closer proximity with others more often than in the summer–when we want our space at the beach, or poolside in our own lounge chairs, or just to get relief from the heat. I’m sure all of us are familiar with the common cold (medically termed Respiratory Syncytial Virus aka RSV) which seems to plague us every year with stuffy/runny noses and coughs. Some of us are unlucky enough to have gotten the flu, which gives you fever, headaches, and body aches. Even still, a good many of us have gotten COVID-19, which has presented itself with a variety of symptoms unique to everyone. So, what should we do to prevent these viruses from canceling our holiday plans?
Here is my list of the 5 ways I protect myself from illnesses throughout the season.
1. ALWAYS wash your hands and keep hand sanitizer handy for when you’re on the run.
We do so much with our hands. Our hands touch our eyes, nose and mouth so often, it’s very easy for germs to spread into your body. If you’ve come indoors from outside, wash your hands. Touch a shared surface (like a door handle, or railing) wash your hands, especially if they are visibly soiled; if not, hand sanitizing is fine. Keeping the thought that “everything outside your house is dirty” will make you want to keep the germs off your hands.
2. ALWAYS cover your mouth and nose when you cough and/or sneeze.
Don’t spread your germs to everyone else by sneezing or coughing into the atmosphere. It doesn’t matter that you’re not sick, the public does not live with you and are not immune to what you have. This is also an easy way for you to get sick. Remember: you are only accountable for yourself not falling ill; do what you can to protect yourself.
3. Take vitamin C DAILY.
This is one that’s not talked about until you are already sick. However, it’s important that to build your immunity and keep it strong, you should be taking boosts of vitamin C daily. Drink some orange juice every morning, take a pill, put it in your water. Whichever way you can easily add it into your diet.
4. Make sure your mucous passages (nose, mouth) do not dry out.
Dry nose and dry mouth=more chances of viral and bacterial build up. Sleep with a humidifier, use some saline nasal spray, or apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils to keep these passages moist. Another tip is drinking warm liquids (soup, tea, coffee, even cocoa) to keep your mouth and throat producing more mucus. Drink water frequently to ensure that you are keeping your mouth moist.
5. Wear a mask; especially when around a large, congested crowd.
Over these last few years with COVID dominating the headlines, I know the last thing you want to hear is this. However, wearing a mask does help block many of the viruses that come your way. The malls and marketplaces will be crowded and congested, and everyone is not going to cover their nose and mouth when they cough and sneeze. Please protect yourself by wearing a mask. Make it a fashion statement and get a fancy one, get one that can be worn as a scarf; just do yourself a service and protect yourself from harm.
Well, there you have it. I hope my tips will carry you through the holiday season without getting sick! Enjoy the festivities with a healthy body, mind, and spirit everyone!
Shanyce Moore, MSN, RN
