Want to stay healthy this holiday season? Follow these four steps

It’s that time of the year. The cold weather has driven everyone indoors and that close contact puts us as risk.

Protect Yourself Against Flu and Other Illnesses

Dr. Meghan Markovich, a Primary Care Physician with St. Elizabeth Physicians suggests four important steps:

1. Get a flu shot.

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is get vaccinated every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends them for people over the age of 6 months.

2. Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth.

The mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth are the gateway by which respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses enter the body. Touching those mucous membranes with a contaminated finger increases your likelihood of getting sick, so keep your hands away from your face.

3. Wash your hands.

The CDC says handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine.  It can reduce the spread of diarrhea and respiratory illnesses. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating, and do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Wash for at least 15-20 seconds (that’s about how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”).

4. Stay home if you are sick.

If you aren’t feeling well, consider avoiding holiday gatherings and other events. It’s especially important to avoid contact with people who are at higher risk from illnesses, such as the elderly, infants and those with weakened immune systems. Follow visitor guidelines if you have a loved one in the hospital or a long-term care facility.

“Following these guidelines can not only help your family stay healthier this winter, but also keep illnesses from spreading around the community,” Dr. Markovich says.

Get Care If You Need It

Should you or a member of your family need care through the holiday season, St. Elizabeth offers a variety of convenient options, with care available on the weekends, evenings and holidays.