As we head into cold and flu season, it is important to prepare and plan for these symptoms. Coming down with cold symptoms can affect your work or school week. It can prevent you from taking care of your normal day to day responsibilities. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Fortunately, planning ahead can reduce the time of the symptoms and get you back on your feet quicker.
Get vaccinated
Although the flu vaccination does not prevent all types of the flu and it does not help with the common cold, it can keep some illness away. It is best to prepare with the flu vaccination. You can get your flu vaccination quickly from your local medical care doctor or you can quickly walk into the local walk in clinic. Multicare urgent care clinics are qualified to give you the flu vaccination, in a quicker and more cost effective method.
Remember to wash your hands frequently
The best method for preventing both the common cold and the flu is something you can do at home. Many studies show that washing your hands frequently is the single best way to reduce your illness chances. Every year, Americans get approximately 1 billion colds. The majority of these colds are transferred through the hands. People who are carrying illness germs touch things like door handles, computer mice, and computer keyboards. When you touch these same surfaces and then touch your mouth or eyes, you are at risk of developing the same illness. Washing your hands reduces the amount of germs you come into contact with and reduces your chances of getting the same illness. It can be helpful to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer near your office or workplace.
Stay home when sick
Another common cause of illness is people going to busy places when showing symptoms of an illness. It is always best to stay home when you are feeling sick, or when you are showing symptoms of the flu or common cold. Although you may be tempted to push through it and go to work, this can be very risky. Eventually, the illness can pass through the entire office, reducing work time and productivity of everyone. Try to remain at home until your symptoms have completed passed and you are feeling yourself again.
Know where your local urgent care centers are located
Most people do not run to their primary physician every time they feel cold or flu symptoms. However, sometimes the symptoms will be so troublesome that you will want to see a medical provider. Instead of scheduling and waiting days, sometimes weeks, to see your regular doctor, visit a local walk in clinic. An estimated 3 million patient?s visit urgent care centers each week, according to the Urgent Care Association of America. Visiting your local walk in clinic can rule out any serious medical conditions and can provide you with over the counter recommendations to lessen your symptoms.
Increase fluids and wait it out
Unfortunately, even with a visit to your local walk in clinic or medical care clinic, there is no cure for the common cold or the flu. You simply have to wait it out and minimize the symptoms, as much as possible. Cold symptoms often last from 48 hours to 14 days. The average person makes a full recovery within 10 days. In the meantime, increase your fluids, get a lot of rest, and wait it out.
Both common cold and flu symptoms increase during the fall and winter months. People spend more time indoors and germs are easily passed. It is best to develop prevention and recovery plan now before you come down with either of these common diseases. Wash your hands regularly, stay at home when sick, and know where your local walk in clinic is for symptom relief. Also, getting your flu vaccination can reduce your chances of getting the common flu. If you do come down with either of these diseases, rest and wait it out, for you will be back to normal in no time.