There is a great deal of debate about winter-time illnesses and why there is more sickness during the winter. Some people attribute it to being in doors more often than in the summer, but in blazing hot places like the Central Valley of California or Arizona, this simply isn't true. It is possible that those of us who live in these places are outside more in the winter than in the summer because 40º F is more tolerable than 115ºF. So I don't buy that theory. (Do you have a better one? Let me know!)
Okay, so CDC (what would we do without CDC?) has recommendations for preventing winter time illnesses. This is really important to me because the very best way to prevent antibiotic resistance is to just not get sick (brilliant! isn't it?)
So here are their recommendations:
Get vaccinated against the flu
Wash your hands often
Limit exposure to infected people
Keep stress in check
Eat right
Exercise
Most winter time illnesses clear up on their own and don't require a visit to the doctor or antibiotics, but there are times to see a doctor.
See a health care professional if you aren't getting any better or if your symptoms worsen. Mucus buildup from a viral infection can lead to a bacterial infection.
With children:
Be alert for high fevers
abnormal behavior such as
unusual drowsiness,
refusal to eat,
crying a lot,
holding the ears or stomach,
and wheezing.
Signs of trouble for all people all after feeling better for a short time can include
a cough that disrupts sleep
a fever that won't go down
increased shortness of breath
face pain caused by a sinus infection
worsening of symptoms
high fever
chest pain
or a difference in the mucus you're producing.
Cold and flu complications may include bacterial infections (e.g., bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia) that could require antibiotics.
Remember: While antibiotics are used against bacterial infections, they don't help against viral infections such as the cold or flu.
Okay, so CDC (what would we do without CDC?) has recommendations for preventing winter time illnesses. This is really important to me because the very best way to prevent antibiotic resistance is to just not get sick (brilliant! isn't it?)
So here are their recommendations:
Get vaccinated against the flu
Wash your hands often
Limit exposure to infected people
Keep stress in check
Eat right
Exercise
Most winter time illnesses clear up on their own and don't require a visit to the doctor or antibiotics, but there are times to see a doctor.
See a health care professional if you aren't getting any better or if your symptoms worsen. Mucus buildup from a viral infection can lead to a bacterial infection.
With children:
Be alert for high fevers
abnormal behavior such as
unusual drowsiness,
refusal to eat,
crying a lot,
holding the ears or stomach,
and wheezing.
Signs of trouble for all people all after feeling better for a short time can include
a cough that disrupts sleep
a fever that won't go down
increased shortness of breath
face pain caused by a sinus infection
worsening of symptoms
high fever
chest pain
or a difference in the mucus you're producing.
Cold and flu complications may include bacterial infections (e.g., bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia) that could require antibiotics.
Remember: While antibiotics are used against bacterial infections, they don't help against viral infections such as the cold or flu.
2 comments:
I think it's because of stress. Finals + Christmas right in a row have infected the whole world year after year.
I think it's partly because of the influx of sugar in the diet which (I'm told) tends to lower your immunity and the stress, and the visiting of friends and family
ps isn't laura cheeky with her latest blog? but you are cute and smart, so forgive her. :)
Lindy (not jk, my brotherinlaw)
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