Key Takeaways:
* Identifying specific symptoms can help distinguish between different illnesses.
* Rigorous and frequent handwashing is crucial to reducing the spread of viruses.
* Regularly cleaning surfaces can effectively eliminate viruses.
* Maintaining a distance from others and avoiding face-touching can minimize the risk of acquiring a virus.
* Ensuring to stay hydrated and not stressing oneself out aids in boosting the immune system.
* Lastly, if already ill, testing and staying at home will prevent the spread of the disease.
Don’t Let Illness Strike: Fighting Norovirus, COVID-19, Flu and RSV
As we endure the winter months, many find themselves victims of various ailments such as the flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and common colds. Many believe that these health woes spike during this season due to increased indoor time, coupled with the cold, dry air that seems to weaken our defenses.
Identify Symptoms: Know Your Illness
A crucial step in protecting yourself involves understanding these illnesses and their transmission. Recognising specific symptoms could provide an early warning and distinguish between various diseases.
Norovirus is a foodborne illness, typically causing vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain for one to three days. Meanwhile, a common cold can cause various symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, body aches, or a brief fever.
Influenza, better known as ‘the flu,’ caused by ever-changing viruses, leads to fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Flu symptoms often hit faster than cold symptoms and can persist anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, cough, short of breath, sore throat, congestion, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, aches, headaches, nausea, or vomiting for several days. RSV, another common virus, can cause a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and a loss of appetite for a week or two.
Personal Hygiene: The First Line of Defense
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from all viruses is proper hand hygiene. Rigorous and regular handwashing, especially after using restrooms, and during food preparation is crucial. The key to effective handwashing lies in the duration – scrutinize for at least 20 seconds and ensure to use soap!
That Clean Feeling: The Power of Sanitization
Regularly cleaning surfaces that frequently come into contact is another effective way to stay safe. This rule applies specifically to the norovirus. If it strikes, immediately clean surfaces that have been in contact with contaminated food or bodily fluids. In the case of colds and flu, regular cleaning of surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, beloved toys, and cellphones is advisable.
Hands Off: Keep Viruses at Bay
Preventing the spread of any disease demands caution around others when talking, coughing, and sneezing. Masks, especially N95 or medical-grade ones, are necessary when in crowded areas. Resist the urge to touch your face as it could lead to transmission of viruses from your hands to the mucus membranes.
Vaccinations: Boost your Immune System
You can protect yourself against COVID-19, the flu, and RSV by getting vaccinated. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines are being regularly updated, while annual flu shots are recommended for people aged 6 months and above. There’s no vaccine yet for the norovirus and common cold.
Rest Up, Stay in: Contain the Spread
It’s crucial to rest, get adequate sleep, and keep yourself hydrated. Your immune system could fail in defending itself well if you’re sleep-deprived, stressed-out or dehydrated. If you’re exhibiting symptoms of potential illness, get tested promptly as it can help determine whether you have COVID-19 or influenza. This will inform whether you require specific medicines that prevent severe illness. Most importantly, if you’re symptomatic stay home to avoid getting others sick.