Happy Fall!
With the beautiful fall foliage and cooler weather comes a higher risk of seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, common cold, and RSV. As families head back to school, holiday gatherings start to fill the calendar, and more time is spent indoors, germs have more opportunities to spread.
Here are a few ways to keep you and your loved ones healthy this fall:
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others. Here are common vaccinations to consider:
- Flu shot: Recommended annually for everyone six months and older. The flu vaccine can help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick, and it lowers your risk of spreading illness to others.
- COVID-19 vaccine: Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters is an important way to reduce serious illness. For the most current information, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
- RSV vaccine: The CDC recommends vaccination for adults 75 and older and those ages 50-75 who are at an increased risk of severe RSV. The vaccine protects against RSV for at least 2 years.
If you’re unsure which vaccines are right for you, we encourage speaking with your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands regularly
Handwashing is one of the simplest ways to stop germs in their tracks. Make it a priority to wash your hands:
- Before eating or preparing food
- After using the restroom
- After touching high-traffic surfaces (like doorknobs or light switches)
- After contact with pets or animals
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After taking out the garbage
- Before and after treating a wound
In addition to washing your hands regularly, it’s important to wash your hands properly:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water.
- Lather your hands with soap.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds, including the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under fingernails.
- Rinse well under running water.
- Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry.
If you don’t have access to a handwashing station, carry around hand sanitizer for on-the-go hand hygiene.
Avoid touching your face
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest habits to break. Many respiratory illnesses are often spread through droplets that can be found on contaminated surfaces, and touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands allows germs easy access to your body.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently
With school, work, and social activities in full swing, germs can spread quickly. Regularly disinfecting high-touch areas in your home and workspace helps reduce that risk: Common spots to clean include:
- Light switches
- Handrails
- Door handles
- Remotes
- Toilets
- Sinks and faucets
- Countertops
- Laptops and computer accessories
Check the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of registered disinfectants for effective cleaning products.
Cover coughs and sneezes
This tip protects others as much as it protects you. Use a tissue, your sleeve, or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze and don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards. Keeping tissues and hand sanitizer nearby makes it easier to stick with this habit.
Get Treated for Fall Illnesses in Bellingham, WA
At Care Medical Group, we encourage and promote preventative care. For your convenience, we provide annual flu shots on a walk-in and by appointment basis. Our hours are Mon-Thu 8am-7pm and Friday 8am-6pm. To schedule an appointment, please call (360) 734-4300.
Additionally, if you find yourself under the weather, we offer walk-in services for most medical care. Visit our clinic at 4043 Northwest Avenue, just off the WTA Green Line, for the care you need, when you need it!