In the winter months, it seems that few are safe from some kind of illness: flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds.
Although many of the germs that cause these infections can circulate year-round, scientists believe the winter surge in colds and flu may be because we are spending more time at home and the cold, dry air can weaken our defenses.
But knowing what the symptoms are and how they spread can help. Although it may be difficult to come out of the season completely unscathed, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from these respiratory and stomach viruses.
How do you know if you have a cold, flu, COVID-19 or something else?
Some symptoms are difficult to distinguish between diseases, especially with respiratory viruses. Others are unmistakable.
–norovirus is a foodborne illness that can spread through contaminated water and surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain for one to three days.
–The common cold It can be caused by several types of viruses and may cause a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, body aches, or a low-grade fever for less than a week.
–the flu, Caused by ever-changing flu viruses, it causes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and feeling tired. Flu symptoms usually appear more quickly than cold symptoms and can last from a few days to two weeks.
–COVID-19 Fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, aches, headache, nausea, or vomiting may occur for several days.
–Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and loss of appetite for one to two weeks.
The importance of washing your hands
Oh really. Wash your hands rigorously and frequently—with soap! — is crucial to reducing the spread of norovirus, colds, flu and COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is especially true after using the bathroom and eating or preparing food.
Don’t do it in a hurry. Count to 20 slowly while washing.
If you don’t have access to soap and water, try a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, although that’s not enough to kill norovirus.
Cleaning surfaces
If you have contracted norovirus, you should immediately clean surfaces that have come into contact with contaminated food or body fluids. The CDC recommends disinfecting things with a chlorine bleach solution or one of the products listed on this Environmental Protection Agency website.
Don’t forget to wash clothing that has been in contact with vomit or feces: use hot water and detergent. Afterwards, you must wash your hands.
With colds and flu, it is best to regularly clean high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, toys, phones.
Use household cleaning products containing soap or detergent, and follow up with a disinfectant. The CDC offers more tips on how to clean.
COVID-19 generally spreads through the air through droplets and particles, and the CDC says the risk of contracting the virus from a contaminated surface is low.
Keep hands away from face
Viruses can spread through talking, coughing and sneezing, so cover your mouth with a tissue if you feel a tickle in your throat or nose. Afterwards, you have to wash your hands. Again.
Additionally, even if you are not sick, consider protecting yourself in crowded areas with an N95 or other medical mask to prevent respiratory viruses.
Don’t touch your face. If you have a germ or virus on your unwashed hands – respiratory or norovirus – and you touch your face, eyes or nose, it can spread to the mucous membranes and make you sick.
Consider getting vaccinated
There are updated vaccines against COVID-19, as well as annual flu vaccines for people 6 months and older. People 60 years of age or older or pregnant women can be vaccinated against RSV.
But there is no vaccine against norovirus or the common cold.
Another way to keep your defenses against viruses high is to rest.
Your immune system may not work as well if you are sleep deprived, stressed, or dehydrated. So rest, sleep and drink water.
If you are sick, stay home
If you get sick, rapid tests can help determine if you have COVID-19 or the flu. That’s important to see if you need one of the medications that can help prevent serious illness: Paxlovid for COVID-19 and Tamiflu for the flu.
Above all, if you have symptoms, stay home to prevent others from getting sick.
To treat a cold, flu, or COVID-19 infection, rest and drink fluids. You can take pain relievers to reduce fever or relieve body pain. Humidifiers can also relieve symptoms.
There is no medication for norovirus. Instead, you will need to rehydrate as much as possible with water and other fluids. Seek help if you are dehydrated and notice that your mouth and throat are dry, you are not urinating enough, or you feel dizzy when standing up.
