The busy Thanksgiving travel season begins tomorrow and many parents in Atlanta are concerned about their children getting sick while away from home. The biggest concern is catching the flu because it can be dangerous for infants, younger children and the elderly. Although flu season usually peaks in January and February, it can begin as early as October. So, how can your own family avoid the flu this Thanksgiving? Below are some tips from the experts at ZocDoc.
- Get a flu shot. Two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this year. The flu shot should be your first and most important step in safeguarding against the flu.
- Stop the spread of germs. You can take significant steps toward stopping the flu virus by exercising common-sense precautions such as washing your hands frequently or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should also try to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent illness.
- Disinfect household items. Regularly disinfect doorknobs, handles, and other heavily used items in your house. For children, it is also important to wipe down and disinfect their favorite toys.
- Get plenty of water, sleep, and exercise. Taking care of yourself, by staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep and by partaking in physical activity, can also keep your immune system strong.
- Keep calm in stressful situations. When you are stressed, your immune systems suffer, making you more susceptible to illnesses such as the flu.
- Stay away from those who are sick. Be sure to avoid those who have the flu or other symptoms. The flu is highly contagious, so it’s best not to take any chances.
- Stay away from others when sick. Conversely, it’s just as important to stay home from work or school when you are sick. If you do have to go out, be sure to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze to avoid spreading germs to others.
- Seek treatment if you are under the weather. If you do become sick, it’s important to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions, and to see him or her for treatment right away.
If you’re out of town and your child gets sick, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. However, parents may not know of any reliable local doctors in the area. ZocDoc is a resource that allows concerned parents to book an appointment online and be seen within 24 hours. On a more general scale, ZocDoc also gives parents peace of mind because all of the doctors have been vetted to make sure that they have all of the necessary qualifications.
With more than 42.5 million families expected to hit the road this Thanksgiving travel season, ZocDoc can be a great go-to when the unexpected happens and someone gets sick while away from home.
More about ZocDoc:
ZocDoc is a free service that allows patients to book Doctor appointments online. The company started in September of 2007 as a service to help people find and make dentist appointments in New York City. Today ZocDoc also offers primary care, dermatologist, eye-doctor, ENT, orthopedist, OB/GYN, allergist, podiatrist, cardiologist, pediatrician, radiologist and psychiatrist appointments in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Houston, Phoenix, Washington, DC, Atlanta, San Francisco and Boston.
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