Winter is here and the holidays are quickly approaching—like Christmas and New Year’s to name a few.

That means families and friends will be gathering together over the next coming weeks for both holiday parties and dinners alike. That’s why the experts from St. George Medical Clinic have prepared this list of tips to help you stay healthy during travel this holiday season.

1. Get the flu shot and be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters

Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 can help you tremendously. You may still get the virus, but symptoms will be less severe by doing so. A flu shot is important for many reasons but it can help reduce the amount of time you are sick and it may also reduce the severity of your symptoms. A flu shot is quick and easy and the symptoms from the shot itself are typically very mild.

2. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly

Washing your hands often is an easy way to stop the spread of germs, especially if you are in high-traffic areas like airports, gas stations, or stores. It’s important to remember to wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose and before you touch your face, and before you eat or prepare food.

Remember to wash your hands with anti-microbial soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds while lathering and scrubbing around your fingers, nails, wrists, and palms.

3. Use sanitizing wipes when touching frequently touched areas

Carry Lysol or disinfecting wipes with you and use them! Wipe the gas pump, shopping cart, card reader, or any germy and high-traffic areas to decrease bacteria and germs.

This doesn’t replace washing your hands after, though. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after touching any germy or high-traffic areas.

4. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods

The holiday season is a great time to eat your grandma’s famous pie, but remember to add in fruits and vegetables along with drinking plenty of water.

Fruit, vegetables, and certain foods are great sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Keeping a balanced diet throughout the holiday season will boost your immunity and overall health. As they say, food is medicine.

5. Stay away from people who may think they are sick or who are showing illness-related symptoms

It may be tempting to gather with your family even if Uncle Dave has a cough, but be careful. Doing so can expose you. If anyone in your family is running a fever or has flu- or COVID-like symptoms, stay away from family members and quarantine until symptoms subside. If you think you or a family member has COVID-19 get tested.

So whether you’re currently traveling or will have guests at your home this holiday-season, it’s best to stay on the defensive side of cold-symptoms before getting sick. If you start to feel under the weather, contact us at 304-478-3339.

We hope these tips can help you stay healthy and happy and from everyone at St. George Medical Clinic, we wish you a happy holiday season.