Preventing Common Winter Illnesses

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, it often seems like everyone around you is getting sick. But why exactly is that? At OccuMed Primary Care, we believe understanding why illness spreads in winter is a crucial first step toward protecting yourself and your family. By recognizing the causes and implementing a few simple strategies this winter season, you can reduce your risk of sickness and enjoy a healthier season.

Why Do We Get Sick More in Winter?

It’s a common belief that cold weather itself makes you sick, but the reality is more complex. Winter’s colder, drier air can lower immune responses while allowing contaminated respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes to travel more easily, increasing the odds of catching the germs that make you sick. In addition, people tend to gather indoors more often during colder seasons, creating more opportunities for germs to pass from person to person (including those who have no symptoms but are still infected).

Common Winter Illnesses

During the colder months, several illnesses become more prevalent. Some of the most common winter sicknesses include:

• The common cold (any type of rhinovirus)
• The flu (influenza)
• Sinus infections (sinusitis)
• COVID-19
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis (chest cold)

These often share similar symptoms, making it tricky to know exactly what you’re dealing with. When needed, an immediate care doctor can help diagnose and treat illnesses with acute symptoms.

How to Prevent Winter Illnesses

Taking steps to prevent winter sicknesses is essential for keeping you and your family healthy. Some simple but effective strategies to protect yourself include:

• Wash Your Hands Often: Use soap and warm water to wash your hands frequently, especially after being in public places or around someone who is sick.
• Get Vaccinated: Staying up-to-date on your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness.
• Avoid Touching Your Face: Germs can easily enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay Home When Sick: If you feel unwell, stay home to rest, recover, and prevent spreading germs to others.
• Keep Surfaces Clean: Regularly disinfect high-touch areas in your home and workplace, such as doorknobs, light switches, and phones.
• Support Your Immune System: A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can help strengthen your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

While no prevention plan is perfect, small but intentional actions can help you stay healthier longer, even through the winter.

Helping You Stay Healthy This Winter

Staying healthy during the winter requires a proactive approach, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. By taking simple preventative steps and understanding how these common illnesses spread, you can better protect yourself and those around you.

If you do get sick, OccuMed Primary Care is here to help. We offer compassionate, whole-person care for acute ailments like respiratory infections. With services including telehealth appointments and COVID-19 testing, we strive to make it easy for you to get the care you need. Contact our Whiting office today to schedule an appointment.