Navigating Sick Season

• Get vaccinated. Talk to your provider about the right vaccines for you. Learn more about COVID-19, flu, or RSV vaccines and where to find them at vaccines.gov.
• Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are experiencing symptoms.
• Wash your hands. Washing your hands often with soap and water will help protect you from germs. Use alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs can be spread when you touch something that is contaminated and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Clean and disinfect regularly. Use disinfecting cleaning supplies on high-traffic items and areas such as door knobs, countertops, keyboards, and school supplies.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

• Get plenty of rest. Sleep is crucial to physical recovery, keeping the immune system functioning, emotional health, and mental health.
• Stay hydrated. Drink water frequently, along with broth, soup, tea with honey, and fruit juice. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, getting light-headed upon standing, and urinating less frequently.
• Treat your symptoms. Use over-the-counter fever reducers and antidiarrheal medications as needed. Hot showers can help with sore throat and congestion.

Older adults or those with existing conditions have a greater risk of severe illness and should contact their doctor as soon as they test positive or begin experiencing symptoms. Otherwise, take advantage of eCare or one of the many care locations CoxHealth has to offer. Don't know where to start? Care Finder can help navigate you to the appropriate option for medical care.