Local clinic provides tips to stay clean during holidays

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Christmas is a time of gathering and socializing, but while you’re sharing the love, you may also be sharing germs and viruses.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Stefanie Christy said there are many ways for those germs to spread.

“We want to think of not only who we are around, but also how many people we may have come in contact with. And we want to think of not only breathing but also the surfaces that we are coming in contact with,” said Stefanie Christy, Allegro Family Clinic Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Christy said you should consider your health and the health of those around you during the holidays.

“If there is a cough or cold that you are around, those are spread through those air molecules. And you want to protect that from coming to you, or if you are the one coughing and sneezing, you want to keep it from spreading to others,” said Christy.

Taking even the simplest precautions could save you a trip to the doctor.

“We have lots of flu, COVID, RSV, and even just our common colds are the same as some of these other bad bugs. So, just being consistent and wiping down and washing and being mindful of who we come in contact with,” said Christy.

Christy also said you should be aware of others while gathering for the holidays.

“Always great to be mindful of washing hands. If we need to, it won’t hurt to wear masks. I know we want to see faces, but you have to use your best judgment because we don’t want to go back to the COVID era. But we want to be mindful and protective of our loved ones,” said Christy.

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