In addition to COVID-19, it is the time of year for the common cold and the Flu as well as other illnesses such as sinus infections. A lot of these illnesses present with a lot of the same common symptoms with a few being unique to COVID and the flu.
According to ADPH, over the last 10 days Cherokee County has seen 456 positive cases of COVID and we currently have a positivity rate of 55.5% with 103 of those cases in the past 5 days. According to several of the doctor offices, they have seen just as many flu cases this year as they have COVID.
The single best way to reduce the spread of flu/COVID and its potentially serious complications is good health habits like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.
AVOID CLOSE CONTACT – Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK – If possible, stay home from work, school, and running errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE – Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
CLEAN YOUR HANDS – Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE, AND MOUTH – Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
PRACTICE OTHER GOOD HEALTH HABITS – Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Remember, only you can help prevent the spread of illnesses such as COVID and the Flu so let’s do our part to keep others from getting sick.