Stay Healthy During the Holidays: What to Know and Where to Go
The end of the year means changing our settings to "OOO" and "DND." Entire days or weeks marked on the calendar just to relax, indulge and enjoy. The last way anyone wants to spend their holidays is feeling under the weather. Learn how to prevent seasonal illness or injury and what your options are for treatment locally, or at home, with Whitney Crain, PA-C, with Cone Health LeBauer HealthCare at Oak Ridge, in this WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation.
Prevention is Key
- Wash Your Hands Properly: This may seem obvious, but it's crucial. Wash your hands for a full 20 seconds with soap and water (the Happy Birthday song is a tried-and-true countdown).
- Cover Your Cough and Sneeze: Use your elbow, not your hands, to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
- Get Vaccinated: Stay up-to-date on the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. Find a Cone Health Community Pharmacy location near you.
- Hydrate and Rest: Drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep are essential for a strong immune system.
- Be Mindful of Incubation Periods: Some illnesses, like the flu, can be contagious before you start showing symptoms. Be cautious around sick individuals, especially if you have young children.
What to Do If Someone Gets Sick
- Isolate the Sick Person: If someone in your household is sick, they can wear a mask and try to isolate them in a separate room to minimize the spread of germs.
- Practice Social Distancing: Maintain a distance of at least six feet from sick individuals.
- Seek Medical Attention: If symptoms worsen or persist, get care now from a healthcare provider.
Virtual Care
|
Urgent Care
|
Emergency Department
|
| Virtual Same Day Appointments for ages 8+ 8 AM - 8 PM / 7 days a week. |
For non-emergency injuries or illnesses. Virtual or walk-in care available for all ages 7 days a week. |
For serious injuries or illnesses. 24-hour locations in Greensboro, Burlington, Reidsville and High Point |
- Cold, Flu, COVID-19 symptom
- Nausea, vomiting
- Allergies
- see more
|
- Accident/falls
- Allergic reaction
- Bone fracture or sprain
- Minor burns, cuts, rashes
- Stomachaches
- see more
|
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Stroke symptoms including sudden arm or leg weakness or facial drooping
- see more
|
Tips for Travelers
- Pack Essential Medications: If you have chronic health conditions, make sure to bring enough medication to last your entire trip.
- Stay Healthy on the Road: Practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer.
- Seek Local Healthcare: Anyone, even those visiting, in the state of N.C. have access to Cone Health virtual and urgent care.
Boosting Your Immunity
- Practice Healthy Habits Year Round: Eat a balanced diet to strengthen your immune system, as well as make sure to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and enjoy regular, moderate exercise.
- Consider Supplements: Quercetin, an anti-viral, antioxidant, immune-booster can be well-absorbed when paired with zinc. Foods like bell pepper, oranges, strawberries, citrus fruits will increase your vitamin-C.
- Myth Busting: While vitamin C and Elderberry may help shorten the duration of illness, they are not effective in preventing illness.
