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5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Infections

Keep Yourself Healthy Through the Holiday Season

 |  For Patients

We are quickly approaching flu season and the holiday season. As families make their holiday plans, it is important to become proactive about keeping yourself healthy. We’ve compiled simple ways for you to protect yourself from infections and keep yourself healthy during this season.

1 . Wash Your Hands Often

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides step by step instructions for washing your hands effectively. They recommend scrubbing all parts of your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, rinsing them well afterwards, and ensuring you dry your hands when done.

The CDC also recommends these key times that everyone should wash their hands:

Before:

  • Touching your face
  • Eating

After:

  • Using the restroom
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Leaving a public place
  • Handling cloth face coverings
  • Changing a diaper
  • Caring for someone who is sick
  • Touching animals or pets

2 . Disinfect Frequently Used Spaces Often

Whether you continue to work from home, or you are back in the office, remember to disinfect frequently used spaces daily. Use disinfectant supplies that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure you are cleansing your spaces of specific germs and bacteria.

High touch surfaces can include countertops, food preparation areas, work desks / your workspace, doorknobs and handles, and bathrooms. Taking the time to disinfect these spaces often will keep the germs away.

3 . Stay Up to Date on Recommended Vaccines for Your Age

From birth through adulthood, everyone needs routine vaccinations to keep themselves healthy and avoid getting sick and spreading serious illnesses. Everyone is at risk of different diseases at different ages, so staying current on recommended vaccines is crucial to maintaining your health.

Your annual physical exam is a great time to ask your doctor which vaccinations they recommend for you. If you have children, you can talk to their doctor during their well child visit. You can also check out the adult vaccine schedule, infant and children’s vaccine schedule, and preteen’s vaccine schedule provided by the CDC to make sure you are up to date on all vaccines for your age.

4 . Avoid Touching Your Face

Touching your face, nose, and mouth, along with picking at acne or blemishes can spread germs and diseases into your body quickly. Your eyes, nose, and mouth are entryways for infections to get into your body. Simply biting your nails, itching your nose, or wiping your eyes after touching a contaminated surface could get you sick.

5 . Don’t Share Drinks or Eating Utensils

Though it may seem like a no brainer, many people get comfortable sharing drinks or eating utensils, especially when around family members. Especially around the holidays, be mindful of this. Find creative ways to label your drinks so there are no mix ups. If someone asks to have a bite of your food, protect yourself by asking them to grab their own plate. This minor action can make a big difference in keeping you healthy.

Let’s Get Started!

There is no better time than today to start applying these tips to your daily life. We encourage everyone to take these tips into consideration to protect yourself from the infectious diseases that spread far too easily during this time of year. If you have not seen your primary care provider in over a year, we recommend you schedule an appointment with them as soon as possible to ensure you are maintaining your health.

If you are a member of Arizona Care Network and you need help scheduling an appointment, feel free to contact our concierge by calling 602.406.7226 or emailing members@azcarenetwork.org.

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