How to Protect Against Increased Viral Spread in Winter

01Influenza, or the flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and the common cold easily spread throughout the winter season.

02Knowing what these infections are and how they spread can help us avoid them.

03The Associated Press has listed some things anyone can do to keep healthy and to know more about these infections.

04Some signs or symptoms of a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or norovirus are similar.

05This can make it hard to know what is making us sick.

06However, some symptoms are unmistakable.

07Norovirus spreads through polluted food, water, and surfaces, including the skin.

08The virus causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

09The sickness can last for about one to three days.

10The common cold can be caused by several different kinds of viruses, and can include several symptoms.

11These include a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, and pain in the throat, head, and other parts of the body.

12It can also cause higher than normal body temperature, or a fever.

13The common cold usually lasts less than a week.

14The flu is caused by influenza viruses that are always changing.

15Infection leads to fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and feeling tired.

16Flu symptoms usually hit more quickly than cold symptoms.

17They can last from a few days to two weeks.

18COVID-19 can cause fever, chills, cough, congestion, tiredness, and throat and head pain.

19Other signs of COVID are the loss of smell or taste, difficulty breathing, nausea, or vomiting.

20The sickness can last for several days.

21The respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can make people sick for one or two weeks.

22The signs include runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, breathing problems, fever, and a loss of appetite.

23So, how can we avoid infections?

24Experts say people should wash their hands carefully and often with a cleanser such as soap.

25Clean hands are very important to reducing the spread of norovirus, colds, flu, and COVID-19.

26The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, says this is especially true after using the bathroom, eating, or preparing food.

27Make sure you take enough time to wash your hands.

28It should take at least 20 seconds to complete the job.

29If you do not have soap and water available, cleansers called hand sanitizers are a good substitute.

30The sanitizer must be at least 60% alcohol to be effective against most of these viruses.

31An exception is norovirus, which requires a stronger sanitizer.

32To avoid norovirus, you must immediately clean surfaces that have come in contact with infected food or bodily fluids.

33The CDC advises disinfecting things with a chlorine bleach solution or one of the products listed on the Environmental Protection Agency website.

34Do not forget to wash any clothing that has come in contact with vomit or other bodily waste.

35Use hot water and soap, then wash your hands again.

36With colds and flu, it is best to repeatedly clean surfaces that are touched or used often.

37These include doorknobs, light switches, kitchen workspaces, children's playthings, cell phones, and other objects around the home.

38Use household cleaning products that contain soap or detergent and follow up with a sanitizer.

39The CDC has more advice on how to clean.

40COVID-19 spreads through the air in small drops and particles.

41The CDC says there is low risk of getting the virus from surfaces.

42Viruses can spread through talking, coughing, and sneezing.

43So, cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.

44Then, wash your hands.

45Do not touch your face.

46If you have viruses on your unwashed hands and touch your face, eyes, or nose, they can get into your body.

47Your likelihood of getting sick will increase.

48You might consider a vaccine if one is available.

49Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available.

50Yearly flu shots for people 6 months and older are also available.

51For adults 60 and older or people who are pregnant, you might want to get the RSV vaccine.

52There is no vaccine for norovirus or the common cold.

53Your immune system may not work as well if you are lacking enough sleep, water, or are experiencing high levels of tension.

54Rest, sleep, and drink enough water.

55If you do get sick, you can take a test to find out if you have COVID-19 or influenza.

56It is important to know if you have a virus that could be treated with available medicines.

57The drug Paxlovid treats COVID-19.

58Tamiflu is used to treat flu.

59Above all, if you have symptoms of any of these sicknesses, stay at home and away from other people.

60This will help stop the spread of viruses.

61To treat a cold, flu, or COVID-19, rest and drink fluids.

62You can take pain medicine to lower a fever or to ease pain.

63Humidifier machines, which increase the amount of water in the air, can also help ease symptoms.

64There is no medication for norovirus.

65You need to replace fluids lost because of the sickness.

66Drink as much water and other liquids as possible.

67Seek medical help if you notice you have a dry mouth and throat, are not expelling liquid waste easily, or feel dizzy when standing.

68I'm Katie Weaver.

69And I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

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71I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

72I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

73I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

74I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

75I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

76I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

77I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.