How do doctors and nurses constantly not sick? They come into contact with sick people on a daily basis, and yet they do not take any cold or flu. What is their secret?
It is that there are a number of ways health professionals avoid catching a cold. Whether by increasing their immunity or escape of germs, the pros know how to survive cold season and flu.
The worst of the flu season is behind us, but spring colds continue to circulate throughout the country. A healthy person can overcome a typical cold in about seven days, but it may take longer for anyone with a disease related to asbestos. A cold medium can easily turn into pneumonia for people with lung disease.
In addition to the following tips for health care professionals, do not forget to take care of your health by eating well, drinking lots of water and get plenty of sleep.
Skip Niceties
it can be socially customary to shake hands to greet someone, but if they are sick, it is a surefire way to get the virus, they are wearing.
"Doctors tend to be very careful trembling hand," said Dr Terri Remy, medical director of primary care Alexandria, Virginia. If someone is sick, do not shake their hand or give them a hug. Avoid close contact. If you do happen to hit someone with a cold, wash your hands immediately and take extra precautions for your health to keep your immune system in top shape.
Think About Gut Health
Approximately 70 percent of your immune system resides in your gastrointestinal tract.
This means that your intestinal health is important in immune function. Taking probiotic supplements, eat low sugar yogurt and drinking kombucha (a fermented tea that contains probiotics) will balance the good bacteria in your gut.
A healthy diet low in sugar and fat and high in whole foods like vegetables and fruits will maintain digestive health. Avoid processed foods and limit alcohol consumption. Take a quality multivitamin and make sure it contains zinc and vitamin C because these chemicals can reduce the duration of colds.
If someone touched, clean it!
The common cold is caused by viruses, mainly rhinoviruses, which can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Cleaning surfaces regularly with disinfectant wipes will limit the spread of the virus.
Be sure to clean anything someone may have hit in the home or office, such as cell phones, doorknobs, light switches, appliances, countertops, faucets , coffee makers, water fountains, keyboards and printers.
Sing "Happy Birthday"
It takes about 20 seconds of washing with soap and water to completely disinfect your hands.
Instead of counting to 20, sing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing hands to ensure that you have cleaned some time. Make sure to clean under your nails and turn off the tap while you wash to save water.The importance of washing hands frequently can not be underestimated. Doctors and nurses vigorously wash their hands after interacting with each patient.
Watch Your Hands
Even if you cleaned every imaginable surfaces and sang "Happy Birthday" twice while washing hands, remain aware that your hands touch - especially your face
If your hands are harboring germs and touching your mouth, nose or eyes, there is a significant chance germs will enter your body through these openings .. be very careful to avoid touching widely used by the public surfaces such as railings, fountains and elevator buttons.
After interaction with the public, avoid biting nails, picking your teeth and wipe your eyes, nose or mouth.
Take a Exhale
When a sick person coughs or sneezes, potentially infectious droplets are propelled into the air and can travel farther than previously thought.
If you are around someone who is sick and they cough or sneeze, do not breathe deeply. Instead, take a long exhale as you walk away from the area. Wait a few minutes before returning to the region, which gives time for infectious droplets to settle.
Embrace the Outdoors
The air inside closed spaces recirculated, making it easier for viruses and bacteria to find a host.
"a reason why we get sick when it's cold is because we share more in the air," said Shawn Mueller, nurse and director of prevention and control of infections recorded at Union Memorial Hospital Medstar. taking yourself outside or open windows during the cold and flu season will reduce your exposure to viruses and bacteria. If you work in an office and can not take your work outside or open windows, consider using an air purifier that neutralizes or kill airborne pathogens.
Opt for gentle exercise
rigorous exercise can compromise the immune system system for up to three days after working on
"after moderate to intense exercise -. for example, run 40 to 60 minutes without stopping - there is a 72 hour window during which your body is severely afflicted, and that is a time when people are likely to get sick, "says Dr. Scott Weiss, a physical therapist based in New York that handles professional athletes and Olympians.
conversely, mild exercise is good for immunity, so that all drives will make you susceptible to catching a cold. If you have an event or upcoming holidays you do not want to be sick, avoid vigorous exercise for a week or two before.