8 Doctor-Recommended Ways to Avoid Getting Sick this Fall

Mon, August 17, 2020 at 1:01 PM UTC

5 min read

Autumn’s dropping temperatures and more time spent indoors means more exposure to bacteria, viruses and other germs that can potentially make us sick. And while we make a concerted effort every fall and winter to avoid coming down with something, the current global pandemic has us taking extra precautions not to catch or spread COVID-19. (Or the common cold or the flu or any other winter illness, for that matter.) So, we talked to four doctors to see what products and steps they suggest to avoid getting sick this fall. Here are their recommendations.

1. Wash with Soap and Water

It may feel obvious but washing your hands thoroughly and frequently is still one of the absolute best ways to prevent the spread of disease. Says Dr. Nate Favini, the medical lead at Forward, “To avoid getting sick in general, you should wash your hands often. Washing your hands frequently, especially if you’re around people who are sick, will reduce the chance that you get sick too.”

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2. Use Hand Sanitizer in a Pinch

“Soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer at killing germs,” says Dr. Favini, “but hand sanitizers are better than nothing if you’re on the go and don’t have access to soap or a sink.” If you’re out at the grocery store picking up cans to better read the ingredients or testing how ripe pieces of fruit are, squirting some hand sanitizer (specifically enough to cover both the palms and backs of your hands) into your palms and rubbing it into all the nooks and crannies is better than doing nothing at all. Just be sure to give your hands a thorough washing with regular soap once you get home.

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3. Wear a Mask

Jennifer Aniston recommends it; Kerry Washington recommends it; J.Lo recommends it; and all four doctors consulted recommend it too. This is perhaps the easiest thing you can do to prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and other common winter illnesses. Wear one while you’re out on a run and while picking up groceries. Wear one that matches your bikini, a la Lizzo or Kelly Ripa. Get the whole family involved with a matching set. In the words of Nike, just do it.

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4. Get Vaccinated

“Get appropriate vaccines, such as a flu shot and a pneumonia shot “ says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with the Allergy & Ashma Network. And if a proven COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, get that one too.

5. Take Vitamin C Daily

Dr. Parikh and Dr. Favini both recommend taking vitamin C supplements regularly. This is especially important for folks who are currently under a lot of stress (so, everybody). As Dr. Favini explains, “The most compelling evidence for vitamin C comes from studies of people who are under some stress: marathoners, skiers and people living in the arctic. In those groups, taking daily vitamin C resulted in a 50 percent reduction in the common cold.” It’s also important to note that it’s the regular intake of vitamin C that helps prevent illness. If you’re already feeling sick, drinking a big glass of OJ certainly won’t do any harm, but it also won’t make whatever you already have go away any faster.

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6. Consider Adding a Vitamin D Supplement, Too

Per Dr. Maggie Luther, ND, medical director and formulator of Care/of, “More than 70 percent of Americans may not get enough vitamin D in diet alone. Vitamin D is well-studied for general immune health, in addition to bone and heart health. Dr. Dyan Hes of Gramercy Pediatrics also suggests adding a supplement to your daily routine specifically to combat COVID-19, as those with low vitamin D levels tend to have poorer outcomes should they contract coronavirus.

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7. Stock Up On Disinfectant Wipes

Dr. Hes knows these handy wipes have become harder to find, but if you do manage to find some, she says go ahead and buy a few packs. This is particularly true for any high-traffic areas in your home, or if you plan to use public transportation or return to an office. “The same goes for schools and daycares. And I would definitely wipe down my seat on an airplane, where the air circulation is poor,” she suggests.

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8. Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

This is one of the best ways to consistently maintain a strong immune system, says Dr. Favini. He recommends including foods high in vitamin D, like salmon and milk, for an extra immunity boost, but generally just make sure you keep eating lots of leafy greens, vegetables and lean proteins throughout the year.

9. One Thing to Skip: Wearing DISPOSABLE Gloves

You may think your daily latex glove use is helping prevent the spread of diseases by creating an extra barrier between you and the things you touch, but it might not be doing as much good as you hope. As Dr. Hes explains, wearing gloves only works if you take the same precautions as you would without the gloves. “They give people a false sense of security that their hands are clean. In fact, these people touch their car, phone, grocery cart, face, etc., all with gloves on. The only benefit I can see to wearing disposable gloves would be if you need to hold onto the train pole during a commute and then I would throw the glove out immediately.” Rather than waste money on disposable gloves, just continue to wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face and carry hand sanitizer with you just in case.

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