Between the unpleasant symptoms and schedule disruption, getting sick is hardly anyone\u2019s idea of a good time. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to do what you can to prevent the spread of germs, strengthen your body\u2019s defenses and otherwise decrease your risk of infection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile most people who get a cold or the flu ultimately do just fine, these illnesses can be deadly to others,\u201d said Dr. Carrie Horn<\/a>, the chief medical officer at National Jewish Health. \u201cAnd sometimes even otherwise young and healthy people can develop complications from a simple cold like pneumonia that could become serious.\u201d<\/p>\n With that in mind, acting with awareness about illness isn\u2019t just about protecting yourself, but also protecting your community. In fact, it\u2019s a matter of etiquette. <\/p>\n \u201cThese protocols are not just about health \u2015 they are about civility,\u201d said Jackie Vernon-Thompson<\/a>, the founder of From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. \u201cWe never know how severely another person may be affected by a virus. Some may recover quickly, while others may face serious complications. Practicing mindfulness during this season reflects true etiquette: showing genuine concern for the well-being of others. Extending such care is not only proper etiquette \u2015 it is kindness in action.\u201d<\/p>\n Below, find doctors\u2019 and etiquette experts\u2019 breakdown of the things you want to avoid doing during cold and flu season \u2015 and what you should do instead. <\/p>\n Neglecting Rest<\/p>\n \u201cA primary mistake is to neglect rest and \u2018power through\u2019 when you feel symptoms emerging,\u201d said Dr. Nora Tossounian<\/a>, an internal medicine specialist with Hackensack Meridian Health. \u201cYour immune system requires significant energy to fight off an infection, and depriving your body of sleep and recovery time severely compromises its ability to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, Fleming pointed to the many studies showing that sleep deprivation impairs components of the immune system that fight viruses.<\/p>\n \u201cOne study showed that those who got less than seven hours of sleep a night had an almost three times higher risk of getting the common cold compared to those who had eight or more hours of sleep,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Getting enough sleep is not just about fighting off an active infection.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re run down, you\u2019re more susceptible to getting sick,\u201d said Dr. Neha Pathak<\/a>, WebMD\u2019s chief physician editor of health and lifestyle medicine.<\/p>\n Going Places While You\u2019re Sick<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the worst things you can do during cold and flu season is not to stay at home when you are sick, or to attend gatherings where you know others are sick,\u201d said family medicine physician Dr. Michael Richardson<\/a>. <\/p>\n Going out in public \u2015 whether it\u2019s to your job, the grocery store or a social gathering \u2015 while you know you\u2019re sick exposes your whole community to your illness. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you have a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or body aches, please stay home unless it is absolutely necessary that you go out,\u201d Horn echoed. \u201cViral illnesses are contagious, and the best thing to do is limit the chance of spreading it to others.\u201d<\/p>\n As a parent and health professional, Richardson also emphasized the importance of keeping sick kids out of school whenever possible. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to prevent transmission in the school system,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd even if it\u2019s inconvenient, it\u2019s extremely important to keep your child home from school if they have a fever. Children may return to school 24 hours after the fever has subsided.\u201d<\/p>\n Forgetting To Wash Your Hands<\/p>\n \u201cGerms spread so easily from surfaces to hands and then to your face,\u201d Pathak said.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why skipping hand-washing is a bad idea, especially during cold and flu season. Instead, this should be a frequent practice. <\/p>\n \u201cHand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick,\u201d Horn said. \u201cAlways wash your hands before you eat or after you have been out and about touching things in public.\u201d<\/p>\n Overlooking Nutrition And Hydration<\/p>\n \u201cPoor nutrition and dehydration work against you,\u201d Tossounian said. \u201cYour body needs the vitamins, minerals, and hydration from a healthy diet to mount an effective defense, not the inflammatory effects of processed foods and sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s why you should prioritize healthy eating with plenty of immunity-boosting nutrients like vitamin C. <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let yourself get dehydrated,\u201d Horn advised, adding that it\u2019s especially important to drink water and eat nourishing foods when you\u2019re feeling sick. <\/p>\n Fleming similarly pointed to the role of heavy alcohol consumption, which can be dehydrating and otherwise impact your immunity. <\/p>\n \u201cBoth binge drinking and regular heavy alcohol use suppress the immune system and make us more susceptible to respiratory viruses,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n juanma hache via Getty Images<\/p>\n There are many things you can do to prevent the spread of germs, strengthen your body\u2019s defenses and otherwise decrease your risk of infection.<\/p>\n Frequently Touching Your Face<\/p>\n \u201cOn the germ-spreading front, one of the most detrimental habits is infrequent handwashing combined with unconsciously touching your face,\u201d Tossounian said. \u201cViruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth, and your hands are the primary vehicle for getting them there.\u201d<\/p>\n Touching your face is a common habit that can be hard to break, but try to at least reduce the frequency with which you do it. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to minimize touching your face,\u201d Horn said, adding that you might also consider washing your hands before or after you touch your nose or mouth.<\/p>\n Ignoring Basic Cough And Sneeze Etiquette<\/p>\n![\"There](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68dc3be618000036bd5d0c1a.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n