The vacations are a time for celebration, household gatherings and indulgent feasts ― however for emergency room medical doctors, they’re additionally one of many busiest occasions of the yr.
Yearly, emergency departments see a predictable surge in visits between Thanksgiving and New 12 months’s. Between foodborne sicknesses, respiratory infections and accidents within the kitchen, there are many incidents that maintain them busy. The excellent news? Most of those visits are preventable.
We requested emergency medication physicians throughout the nation to share the habits they depend on to maintain themselves and their households wholesome throughout this vacation season. Their recommendation is surprisingly easy — and will save your celebration from taking a significantly disagreeable flip.
They maintain surfaces clear.
In accordance with Dr. Alexis Halpern, an emergency medication doctor at Weill Cornell Medication and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of many largest culprits behind vacation sicknesses begins proper within the kitchen.
“It’s always important to clean surfaces and cutting boards immediately after handling raw meat, poultry and fish because any bacteria that was present can live on surfaces for some time ― hours to even weeks,” she stated. “If this touches other foods, which won’t be cooked, they can be transferred to those foods and cause anyone who consumes them to become sick.”
Halpern really useful a easy however thorough cleansing course of: “First remove all food debris, use hot water and a mild dish soap (depending on the surface), then use a food-safe sanitizer… If using dish towels to dry the surfaces, also put them in the laundry rather than continue using them.”
Her recommendation extends past the kitchen. “Upper respiratory viruses, which are common in the winter, can live on anything that people touch, like doorknobs, elevator buttons, cell phones and countertops, for a few hours to even a few days depending on the virus,” she stated.
“Wash your hands whenever you come in from outside, after you’ve been with a lot of people, and if you’re shaking lots of hands. Also, never touch your face while you’re out because the eyes, nose, and mouth are easy places for viruses to enter your body.”
They make certain to maintain their vaccines updated.
“Staying current with vaccinations, especially for annual influenza and COVID-19, remains the most effective strategy to prevent these viral illnesses and their complications,” stated Dr. Peggy Tseng Ji, an emergency medication doctor.
That is particularly essential for high-risk teams: “Vaccination substantially reduces hospitalization and mortality in high-risk populations,” she famous. Her recommendation: “Get your vaccines updated as early as you can during the cold and flu season, which starts in October and peaks between December and February.”
They maintain washing their fingers.
Ji makes certain to maintain washing her fingers to remain virus-free throughout the season as nicely.
“Hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not be groundbreaking, but evidence consistently shows that this old-fashioned habit reduces the incidence of acute respiratory infections,” she defined.
“Wash your hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds, cleaning both palms, between the fingers, and all fingertips. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when soap and water are unavailable but should contain at least 60% alcohol.”
That is particularly vital if you’re enjoying with pets or throughout meals preparation, added Dr. Gauthami Soma, a Yale Medication pediatric emergency medication specialist and assistant professor at Yale College of Medication.
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They don’t let meals sit out for lengthy durations of time.
Vacation meals typically stretch for hours ― however that unfold of stuffing, gravy and turkey left on the counter is likely to be a ticking time bomb. Dr. Kirsten Bechtel, a pediatric emergency medication specialist at Yale Medication, warned that meals security errors are a typical cause for vacation ER visits.
“The danger zone for bacteria to grow in prepared/cooked food is 40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Bechtel stated. “Food should be cooled before refrigeration.”
Her rule of thumb: “Any prepared/cooked or cold food should not be left out longer than two hours.” To remain protected, she recommends preserving chilly dishes on ice and scorching dishes above 140 levels Fahrenheit utilizing chafing dishes or crockpots. “If you want to heat up leftovers in the microwave, make sure to reheat it so that it is above 165 degrees Fahrenheit or steaming hot.”
Whereas preserving meals scorching, be aware of the risks scorching meals pose to little ones. “Hot cooked items on the stove can cause burns if tipped and in contact with skin ― remember to put stove items on the farthest back burner and turn the handle inwards and away from toddlers trying to reach,” Soma stated.
They make certain to have a medical equipment available.
Regardless of how ready you might be, it helps to have necessities available at dwelling. Halpern instructed preserving a number of key medicines prepared for surprising occasions, like a snowstorm or hurricane.
“It’s never a bad idea to have fever reducers and pain medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen,” Halpern stated. “It’s also a good idea to have diphenhydramine, which can be used if someone has an allergic reaction, especially if you are having guests who may have food and other allergies nobody knows about.”
She added: “Be sure to hold onto the instructions for safe usage, for both adults and weight-based dosing for kids… and be sure they have child-resistant caps.”
They make certain to masks when wanted.
When in crowded gatherings or when caring for somebody who’s sick, it’s at all times finest to placed on a masks, Ji stated.
“Masks act as a physical barrier, limiting the spread of infectious particles from both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals,” she defined. “When I was sick with COVID-19, I wore an N95 around my family at all times … I was able to continue caring for both my children and breastfeeding my infant without infecting anyone else.”
She really useful N95 respirators for the perfect safety, adopted by surgical masks. “For maximum protection, wear masks consistently and correctly ― covering both the nose and mouth ― especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces,” Ji stated.
They take note of warning indicators and search medical consideration when essential.
Even with all the fitting precautions, sicknesses occur. However figuring out when to go to the physician ― or the emergency room ― could be lifesaving.
Halpern emphasised the significance of listening to your physique: “Winter colds and viruses are common and can range from cough, congestion, and sore throat, to headache, body aches, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.”
Nevertheless, sure signs require pressing care. “If these symptoms progress to feeling short of breath, as in you cannot get enough air in or you’re breathing very quickly, severe weakness or lethargy, or fever above 103 that is lasting for days or not responding to fever-reducing medications, it is important to seek medical attention,” Halpern stated.
She additionally cautioned in opposition to ignoring extreme dehydration: “If you cannot stop vomiting, are having persistent diarrhea or you stop urinating, you could be severely dehydrated … Please be seen in person so you can receive IV fluids and have electrolytes repleted as needed.”
If you’re experiencing any of those signs your self or know of somebody who’s, make a journey to the closest pressing care facility or emergency room instantly. “We’d rather see you, tell you you’re going to be okay and send you home with supportive care and medications, than have you stay at home and become dangerously ill,” Halpern stated.
