‘Tis the season to see the doctor.
But there are things you can do to make sure ‘going to the doctor’ isn’t on your Christmas list.
“Two predominant things we’re seeing is strep throat,” explained Dr. Stan Garrett. “It started at the beginning of school and it’s continued to be rather rampant in both children and adults. Also we’re seeing upper respiratory viruses and allergies.”
Dr. Garrett says those are common things to see this time of year.
But he’s seeing a lot more strep in adults than years before.
“Sometimes parents think they just have a cold but it turns out to be strep,” Dr. Garrett said.
The best thing you can do to stay healthy?
Wash your hands and don’t let the stress of the holidays get to you.
“Eat your three meals a day, keep your nutrition up, do good hand washing, cough into your sleeve, and try to protect those around you,” Dr. Garrett explained. “Try to keep things clean around the house and if you’re sick stay at home. You may have to go to work but if you’re sick you run the risk of spreading whatever you have.”
It’s also important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
Dr. Garrett also says it’s not too late to get your flu shot to keep yourself healthy the rest of the year.
“It takes about two weeks to build up your immunity but it’s still worth getting it,” Dr. Garrett said. “They expect it to be more effective than last years. It’s still a good time because we haven’t had the rush of flu just yet.”
