Staying Healthy in the Time of Cold, Flu, COVID, and Hybrid Virus Season

You read that right. Scientists have recently discovered viruses can essentially join forces to evade the immune system and infect more cells.

Co-infections, being sick with two viruses at the same time, are relatively common, but not much is known about the way these viruses interact with one another.

Scientists tested this by infecting human lung cells with respiratory syncytical virus (RSV) and influenza at the same time and found that the viruses fused with each other to form a new and more infectious fusion.

More research still needs to be done to understand hybrid viruses and their likelihood with a co-infection, but this all sounds like a compelling reason to avoid getting sick.

Here are some tips and friendly reminders about the steps you can take to avoid getting sick in the winter season.

Manage your stress. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand. If you’re under high stress, your body will be spending precious energy responding to that instead of potential viruses and bacteria.

Stay physically active. It’s hard to want to go out for a walk or drag yourself to the gym when the temperature drops and it feels like it gets dark at 3pm. Maintaining some activity can help your immune system and your overall well being.

Don’t underestimate the role sleep plays in your health! Staying up late to finish a project or to squeeze another episode of your latest Netflix series might feel like a good idea at the moment. It’s not worth the fatigue and the risk to your immune system.

In the fall and winter months, it’s tempting to just drink the hot cocoa and indulge in holiday treats. There’s nothing wrong with it, but don’t forget about your servings of fruits and veggies.

Make sure you get enough vitamin C to support your immune system. Citrus season usually starts in November, so load up on oranges, grapefruit, and other vitamin-rich foods.

Really wash your hands, especially when you’re using a restroom in public places or even after you come home from running errands or a day out. Sing your favorite hand washing song to reach those 20 seconds, and don’t neglect the spaces between your fingers and the back of your hand.

Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth until after you’ve washed your hands. If all else fails – or you end up in a restroom with no soap – make sure you bring hand sanitizer with you.

Going to school or work while sick isn’t a thing we do anymore. (It should never have been a thing in the first place, anyway.)

It can be hard to tell what symptoms are caused by seasonal allergies, the cold, or COVID, but it’s usually better to be safe than sorry. Stay home if you’re feeling under the weather.

If you start to feel sick while you’re at school, see if you can get the work you need and go home early to avoid spreading it to other people.

If you can’t avoid running an errand or going out, take precautions like wearing a mask and maintaining a safe distance from others. You never know how susceptible they might be to getting sick.

The kind that you get from your doctor, of course.

You can get your flu shot from pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or even some Costcos. Don’t forget about your COVID shot and any appropriate boosters, too.

It’s safe to get both shots at the same time. Dealing with twice the side effects might not be as fun, but at least you’ll only have to go through it once.