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BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
Diving into Sick Season
Keeping Your Family Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
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s the temperatures go down outside, many of us might find our own temperatures going up, but the old wives’ tale about the cold making us sick isn’t exactly based on facts. It is true that doctors do diagnose more cases of illnesses like the common cold, flu, strep throat and the dreaded rotavirus and norovirus, often mistakenly called the stomach flu. But the winter months do play a role in increasing our chances for getting sick. “We tend to spend more time closer together, breathing the same air, touching the same surfaces,” said Dr. Shaylea Beach, a family medicine doctor at the Primary Care Robinson Medical Plaza.
As we seek shelter from the cold, we are stepping into closer quarters with germs, but there are some tried-and-true ways to reduce your risk of getting sick and Dr. Beach recommends starting with getting a flu shot. “The best way to protect yourself is to get your flu shot as soon as possible,” Beach confirmed. 44 | November 2019
Next up, Beach says the community should take note of practices used by hospitals and doctors’ offices everywhere. “Wash your hands often with warm water and soap long enough to sing Happy Birthday or about 15 to 20 seconds,” Beach advised. Just like the staff at Norman Regional do, Beach suggests parents have their kids “wash in and wash out” when they are around germ hot-bed areas like schools and daycares. “Wash your (baby’s or toddler’s) hands when you get to daycare and when you leave,” Beach said. She also encourages your school-age kids to do the same, that way they are less likely to bring germs in or out of school. And, finally, if you do find yourself feeling under the weather, Beach recommends that you stay home. Not only will you reduce the spread of the illness but you will also give your body the time its needs to recuperate. If you are deciding on whether a doctor
