The holiday season is upon us, and polls show that 82% of Americans plan to gather for the holidays to share celebrations, gifts, memories, and sometimes, unintentionally, germs.
“Such gatherings pose a high risk of spreading infection, especially for children, elderly family members, and people who are immunocompromised or have multiple comorbidities,” says the University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics. said Varvara Probst, MD, clinical assistant professor at . Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida.
However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick when spending time with family and friends.
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Fox News Digital spoke to doctors about how to prevent gatherings from becoming “superspreaders.”
1. Stay up to date on vaccinations
Vaccinations play a big role in preventing holiday illnesses, Probst said.
82% of Americans plan to gather for the holidays to share celebrations, gifts, memories, and sometimes, unintentionally, germs. (St. Petersburg)
“Staying up to date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations is one of the most helpful strategies to reduce your risk of infection and hospitalization,” she told FOX News Digital.
Probst added that pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial virus vaccinations are also recommended for older adults.
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“While these measures cannot prevent all illnesses, they can significantly reduce the chance of serious infection and help keep family gatherings safer and more enjoyable for everyone.” she said.
2. Wash your hands frequently
Doctors agree that regular and thorough hand washing is a simple and powerful way to prevent the spread of germs between people and from contaminated surfaces like doorknobs and furniture. Masu.
“This is especially important if you're traveling long distances or if someone in your home is sick,” Probst said.
Doctors say there are steps people can take to reduce their risk of getting sick when spending time with family and friends. (St. Petersburg)
It's also best to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. This is because microorganisms can directly enter the areas where they are most likely to cause an infection, the doctor warned.
3. Limit close contact with sick people
Probst recommended avoiding close contact with people who have colds or gastroenteritis whenever possible.
Children, the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
“If you have to come into contact with someone who is sick, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently will help minimize your exposure to infection,” she advised.
4. Be careful about large gatherings
Probst said people at high risk should try to avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces because germs linger in the air and are more likely to be inhaled.
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“While not always necessary, wearing a mask in crowded places can be especially beneficial for people with weakened immune systems or multiple health conditions, and can reduce the amount of germs you inhale. You can,” she added.
5. Prioritize nutrition and nutrients
According to Probst, eating “fresh, properly prepared foods” can help reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and food poisoning.
Eating “fresh, properly prepared food” can help reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and food poisoning, doctors advised. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Jesús Rizalzable, a family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia, also recommends taking vitamin C a few weeks before the holiday season begins to help prevent illness.
He told Fox News Digital that there is evidence that vitamin D can also improve the immune response, and that zinc can shorten the duration of cold symptoms.
6. Focus on healthy behaviors
According to experts, maintaining good sleep habits, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly will strengthen your immune system and help prevent infections and illnesses if you catch something. helps prevent.
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How sick is too sick?
In some cases, it may be better to skip holiday gatherings to avoid spreading the infection or giving others the disease.
“Symptoms that indicate you may be too sick to attend family gatherings include fever, muscle aches, persistent, strong cough, frequent sneezing with a large amount of nasal discharge, or frequent vomiting and diarrhea. ,” Probst said.
Health experts say you should skip holiday gatherings if you have a fever, muscle aches, a persistent and strong cough, frequent sneezing and a lot of nasal discharge, or frequent vomiting or diarrhea. (St. Petersburg)
These symptoms often indicate a high risk of spreading the virus and can be especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions or weakened immune systems, she said.
“In such cases, it is safer to recuperate at home,” the doctor added.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people can still spread the virus even after symptoms have subsided.
If symptoms persist, consult a doctor and receive health guidance.
