Unless you’re meeting a brand-new baby, visiting the hospital and other healthcare centers is usually not very much fun. During flu season though, it can even seem scary to walk in to a place where you know the flu virus is waiting for you to find it, if it hasn’t already. While it’s generally best to steer clear of healthcare settings if you do not need medical care, sometimes it is unavoidable- like when you need to get your flu shot. Here are with 6 Tips for Visiting Healthcare Centers During Flu Season!
- Avoid touching your face: Your eyes, nose, and mouth are all entry points for viruses. If you don’t touch them, it’ll be harder for the virus to make way into your body from your hands.
- Wash your hands and use sanitizer: Clean hands go a long way in preventing flu infection.
- Ask for a mask: Covering your mouth when you cough only goes so far, and droplets from coughing and sneezing can be air-borne from a distance. A mask will aid in preventing inhalation or spread of flu infected droplets.
- Follow location rules: If a hospital is not allowing children or the elderly to visit, take note. They have good reason.
- Ask for a well waiting area: If you’re there for a routine lab visit or an injury, a well-waiting area won’t be as likely to expose you to flu infected droplets from coughs and sneezes.
- Sanitize personal items after you leave: When you get to your car it helps to sanitize your hands and wipe down your phone, keys, and steering wheel!
If you still need your flu shot, or if you start to feel unwell, your local MEDcare is here to help! Our centers are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm- no appointment necessary! You can also use our Save My Spot option here. If you need us, we look forward to helping you Get Better. Faster!
