What You Should Know About HPV
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Get the facts before you get the virus.
Protect Yourself During Virus Season
With fall and winter upon us, virus season has officially arrived. The good news is that there are things you can do to protect yourself from flu and other viruses — including colds and COVID-19.
Respiratory viruses, like the flu, colds, and COVID-19, are spread through droplets that get released in the air as an infected person coughs, sneezes, or laughs. You can get infected when you breathe in these particles or touch surfaces they’re on, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.
At Health Solutions, we offer comprehensive primary care services that include updating your immunizations. Our board-certified physicians also understand you want to protect yourself during virus season, this year more than ever.
Our team has gathered a list of helpful tips to keep you and your family safe this virus season and all year long.
1. Get a flu shot
The flu shot is an important way to protect yourself this virus season. September and October are the best months to get the shot for the best protection all fall and winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every person age 6 months and older get a flu shot each year.
2. Practice regular hand washing
Bacteria and viruses can live on many surfaces, including things you touch with your hands, such as counters and doorknobs. You can get infected when you touch a surface with the virus and then touch your face.
Practice regular hand washing using soap and hot water after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing. You’ll also want to wash your hands after being out and touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
At times when you can’t wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to kill any viruses.
3. Avoid close contact
It’s always a good idea to keep a little distance from other people during flu and cold season. This year, we also have social distancing guidelines in place because of COVID-19. Avoiding close contact also helps slow the spread of the flu and other viruses. For the best protection, don’t shake hands or kiss people outside of your family or household.
4. Don’t touch your face
It’s important to try not touching your face during virus season since this is where the virus enters your body. By not touching your face (especially your nose, eyes, and mouth) as much as possible, you can protect yourself and your family this virus season. It may be a difficult habit to break, but it’s one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting infected.
This virus season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC recommends wearing a mask or facial covering to reduce your risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
5. Keep things clean and infection-free
Viruses can live on surfaces — often for longer than you think! As such, it’s important to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched frequently, like counters, doorknobs, and children’s toys. Disinfectant wipes can be easy-to-use, but most household cleaning sprays can also be used to keep surfaces germ-free.
For more information about staying healthy during virus season or to schedule your flu shot, contact the team at Health Solutions at one of our four locations in Illinois and Indiana, or book an appointment online today.
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