How do you stay healthy in cold and flu season?

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I know, I know... wash your hands!!!

I just took a position in a family practice clinic, and am looking for tips on staying healthy this winter. Last winter I ended up with strep twice, and many colds, and it was the most miserable winter ever. I'm afraid of repeating that now that I'll be exposed to so much at work, and of bringing it home to my family.

Thanks for any advice!!

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How do you stay healthy in cold and flu season?

Call in sick everyday..;)

Former family practice and later, pedi office nurse here. Tough question. I know I was very sick

the first year of pedi office practice. The docs kept telling me to hand in there and it would

get better. It finally did, but not without being an outstanding patient first.

Take a vitamin supplement, eat healthy,not junk food. Drink plenty of fluids.

Get enough sleep. I took a clove of roasted garlic spread on a few crackers,

once per week. No clue if it was really effective (maybe kept patients from getting too close to

me LOL), but that home remedy seemed to help.

If you are brand new, seems you need to see how your immune system responds.

I had better luck at the family practice, did catch colds etc, but no where near the

intensity of the pedi practice.

Wishing you a good season...

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this may be obvious, but did you get a flu shot?

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this may be obvious, but did you get a flu shot?

Most definitely!!!

:)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I worked in a pedi hospital and quite a few clinics and offices. I found that the first few weeks on a new job (especially peds/family practice) I caught all the bugs but was fine after that other than occasionally.

Other than the great tips above and washing your hands before and after any contact with your patients the other thing would be to avoid touching your face even if you have gloves/clean hands while you're at work. Best of luck to you! :)

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Specializes in Informatics, Neonatal ICU, Home Health.

Vitamin D3, 5000 iu qd-after testing my level and finding it 7. (best 50-80) Lots of fresh veg and fruit, I can get 2 or 3 in a morning smoothie. Vitamin C and echinachea if I start to feel anything.

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