The One Unexpected Thing Infectious Disease Experts Are Begging You to Stop Doing if You Don't Want to Get COVID This Summer
There is a massive COVID-19 surge this summer. While most of the developed world acts like there isn't a highly contagious respiratory virus running rampant (not to mention long COVID still impacts so many), it's still important to be responsible and protect yourself. How can you do that?
There are several tried and true COVID prevention methods, plus some unexpected tricks that infectious disease experts recommended—including one thing to stop doing.
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How to Protect Yourself From the 2024 COVID-19 Summer Surge
Infectious disease experts were unanimous: Vaccination is going to be your best friend in terms of preventing serious infections and complications from COVID-19 this summer and, essentially, all the time.
"As a public health leader, I will always strive to remind our community the substantial evidence backing the effectiveness of vaccines," Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, PH, director and founding dean of the Program in Public Health in the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences at University of California, Irvine, tells Parade. "They can either completely prevent infection or stop people from experiencing severe illness that requires hospitalization. The key is to keep your vaccines up to date as each season we face a new strain of flu or even a new variant of COVID-19. The most up-to-date shot will protect you from the viruses circulating now."
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Masking is also recommended for indoor settings.
"Mask up if you are indoors or in any enclosed space with poor ventilation, especially if you are unsure of the vaccination status of the people around you," Dr. Chinelo Animalu, MD, MPH, FIDSA, infectious disease physician at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee, tells us. "Wear your mask with family or friends if you have respiratory symptoms regardless of vaccination status. There are still immunocompromised people out in our communities as well as those who are unable to receive the COVID vaccines due to different reasons. We need to be mindful of this vulnerable population and go the extra mile to protect them."
Also, be sure you're not slacking when it comes to washing your hands, Dr. Animalu notes: "Continue to practice basic hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after sneezing, coughing or touching general surfaces like door handles and elevator buttons."
It's also recommended to test frequently, especially before and after large gatherings.
"Without testing, it is hard to differentiate between COVID and other viral respiratory illnesses like RSV or flu, as each typically has the same basic symptoms," Dr. Animalu says. "To curtail transmission, I still encourage people to get tested for COVID if they develop symptoms which may be suggestive of COVID. Over-the-counter COVID testing kits are available all over the country, and people do not need to go into the doctor’s office just to get tested."
And on that note, though it may suck to miss barbecues, festivals, pool parties and the like this summer, if you're sick, stay home! FOMO doesn't last as long as long COVID symptoms do, and practicing social distancing can keep you from getting your loved ones sick and ruining more plans later.
Related: Here's How Long COVID Is Contagious After You Get a Positive Test
The One Thing to Stop Doing if You Want to Prevent COVID-19
One unexpected way to prevent yourself from getting infected with COVID-19 this summer is to quit the all-nighters. Whether it's from binge-watching The Bear, partying hard or studying, you need your beauty sleep to keep your immune system strong.
"People may not expect that getting a good night's rest can help prevent not only infectious diseases like COVID-19 and the flu but also reduce your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, poor mental health and even early death," Dr. Boden-Albala says. "There's extensive research stating that the lack of sleep can weaken the immune response, making the body more susceptible to infections, including COVID-19. Sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. During sleep, the body produces and releases cytokines, which are essential for fighting infections and inflammation. Sleep also supports the production of antibodies and immune cells which are vital for the body’s defense against viruses and pathogens."
If you're reading that and thinking, "In this economy?!," trust us: We get it. Getting a full seven to 10 hours of rest isn't always easy. Dr. Boden-Albala recommends eliminating or at least minimizing screen time the hour before you go to sleep and having a bedtime routine, like reading a book (a physical one, not on a device!) or mindfulness activities to ease your mind before going to sleep.
In terms of physical ways to help get your rest? "Keep your bedroom cool and darker before bed," she advises. "Use aids like sleep masks, or white noise and then snuggle up and enjoy your rest."
If you do get exposed to or infected with COVID-19, you still have options that can prevent serious illness that many may not realize are available to them, Dr. Animalu says. These include pre-exposure prophylaxis.
"These are COVID medications given to people who have been exposed to COVID or have been around someone or have been within an environment where there is high risk of COVID," Dr. Animalu explained. "These medications reduce the risk of people contracting COVID after exposure to the virus and, even if they do, have lesser severity of illness. This is mostly beneficial in people who are immunocompromised (have low immunity to fight infections), are unvaccinated for COVID or have certain pre-existing conditions that lower their body immunity."
Getting prompt treatment can also make a world of difference, especially if you're high-risk.
"There are now several medications available for prompt treatment of COVID, Dr. Animalu says. "Early initiation of treatment leads to decreased viral load and shedding of the virus, which in turn helps reduce the rate of spread of the virus even before the patient becomes symptomatic. This measure, in addition to initiating other non-pharmacologic factors like social distancing and masking, can greatly reduce spread."
Next, The #1 Early COVID Sign Most People Miss, According to an Infectious Disease Expert
