Going to The Doctor? Use These Tips to Avoid Further Infections!
Pretty much no one likes to go to the doctor, but sometimes you just have to.
Unfortunately, however, many hospitals and doctors offices, waiting rooms, restrooms and other areas aren't the super-clean places you think they are.
While they might disinfect exam tables and many of the floors, research has proven that carpets, waiting area chairs, restrooms, door knobs, sign in desks, phones, etc are often loaded with bacteria and viruses.
Yep, sorry to burst a bubble or two, but it's true.
And it makes sense, really--these are places that often have a lot of sick people.
Bacteria and viruses, such as Ebola, Enterovirus, cold, flu, MRSA, etc can all live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days.
and unless they are using a fogger disinfection system or something like that every day, it's very difficult to keep all the germs down.
There are ways to avoid the majority of these pesky little invaders, however--by changing a few simple habits.
So, here are some common sense tips that will help you and your family avoid further viral or bacterial infections when you go to the doctor: 1.
Bring your own magazines and don't lay them down on the table or anywhere else- think about it: tons of sick people leafing through those magazines every day 2.
Have your own hand sanitizer with you and sanitize your hands frequently, especially if you're about to use a public phone, a pen from the desk, etc.
The sanitizer will kill the majority of whatever you might run into by touching those items.
3.
Push elevator buttons with a finger joint or knuckle--you're much less likely to infect yourself this way because you rarely use you knuckles or back of your hand to do anything near your eyes, nose, ears or mouth.
4.
Open pushable doors with the back of your hand or fist.
If they have a handle, use a paper towel or napkin if possible, or side of arm if it's a push-release type handle.
5.
Sit away from other people in the waiting room, if possible, don't be afraid to wait outside or go to a larger area where there are fewer people, 6.
Sit away from vents or not right under them.
This is true in homes as well - air ducts are notorious for accumulating and spreading tons of pollutants when the air turns on.
7.
Disinfect your cell phone, keys, and the bottom of your purse if you're a lady and don't sit or anything else down on tables or the carpets--keep it in your lap.
And most definitely, don't put any of your personal belonging on the floor in a restroom.
8.
Keep hands and fingers out of your eyes, nose and ears, at least until you can sanitize them.
Kids are notorious 'explorers' of these areas, so be sure to sanitize or wash their fingers when there's been any possible contamination.
9.
If you're eating or drinking something in the waiting room, keep drinks covered and don't lay any food items directly on a table or anything else.
And if you drop it, it's gone-the '5 second rule' does not apply, guys! 10.
Obviously if someone is coughing or sneezing, hold your breath and get away from it or stay outside the area for a few minutes and let the air clear.
The last thing you want is to run into someone's airborne droplets loaded with bacteria or viruses--remember, that's one way Ebola and other viruses can be transmitted.
11.
Blow your nose (and kid's noses if you have them with you) once you leave the waiting room, doctor's office, or anywhere the air might be questionable.
The mucus in your nose is designed to trap germs and particles and the last thing you want is to sniff or snort that into your system--blowing your nose can sharply the reduce the chances of that.
And honestly, these tips apply to just about any public place where there are lots of people on a regular basis--especially airports, bars, trains, buses, taxi cabs, etc.
And don't forget to make sure the air is clean in your home--indoor air is now listed in the top 5 major health hazards we face, so use a quality HEPA air cleaner with lots of activated carbon to protect yourself from poor air quality there.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at the author box below.
Thank you!
Unfortunately, however, many hospitals and doctors offices, waiting rooms, restrooms and other areas aren't the super-clean places you think they are.
While they might disinfect exam tables and many of the floors, research has proven that carpets, waiting area chairs, restrooms, door knobs, sign in desks, phones, etc are often loaded with bacteria and viruses.
Yep, sorry to burst a bubble or two, but it's true.
And it makes sense, really--these are places that often have a lot of sick people.
Bacteria and viruses, such as Ebola, Enterovirus, cold, flu, MRSA, etc can all live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days.
and unless they are using a fogger disinfection system or something like that every day, it's very difficult to keep all the germs down.
There are ways to avoid the majority of these pesky little invaders, however--by changing a few simple habits.
So, here are some common sense tips that will help you and your family avoid further viral or bacterial infections when you go to the doctor: 1.
Bring your own magazines and don't lay them down on the table or anywhere else- think about it: tons of sick people leafing through those magazines every day 2.
Have your own hand sanitizer with you and sanitize your hands frequently, especially if you're about to use a public phone, a pen from the desk, etc.
The sanitizer will kill the majority of whatever you might run into by touching those items.
3.
Push elevator buttons with a finger joint or knuckle--you're much less likely to infect yourself this way because you rarely use you knuckles or back of your hand to do anything near your eyes, nose, ears or mouth.
4.
Open pushable doors with the back of your hand or fist.
If they have a handle, use a paper towel or napkin if possible, or side of arm if it's a push-release type handle.
5.
Sit away from other people in the waiting room, if possible, don't be afraid to wait outside or go to a larger area where there are fewer people, 6.
Sit away from vents or not right under them.
This is true in homes as well - air ducts are notorious for accumulating and spreading tons of pollutants when the air turns on.
7.
Disinfect your cell phone, keys, and the bottom of your purse if you're a lady and don't sit or anything else down on tables or the carpets--keep it in your lap.
And most definitely, don't put any of your personal belonging on the floor in a restroom.
8.
Keep hands and fingers out of your eyes, nose and ears, at least until you can sanitize them.
Kids are notorious 'explorers' of these areas, so be sure to sanitize or wash their fingers when there's been any possible contamination.
9.
If you're eating or drinking something in the waiting room, keep drinks covered and don't lay any food items directly on a table or anything else.
And if you drop it, it's gone-the '5 second rule' does not apply, guys! 10.
Obviously if someone is coughing or sneezing, hold your breath and get away from it or stay outside the area for a few minutes and let the air clear.
The last thing you want is to run into someone's airborne droplets loaded with bacteria or viruses--remember, that's one way Ebola and other viruses can be transmitted.
11.
Blow your nose (and kid's noses if you have them with you) once you leave the waiting room, doctor's office, or anywhere the air might be questionable.
The mucus in your nose is designed to trap germs and particles and the last thing you want is to sniff or snort that into your system--blowing your nose can sharply the reduce the chances of that.
And honestly, these tips apply to just about any public place where there are lots of people on a regular basis--especially airports, bars, trains, buses, taxi cabs, etc.
And don't forget to make sure the air is clean in your home--indoor air is now listed in the top 5 major health hazards we face, so use a quality HEPA air cleaner with lots of activated carbon to protect yourself from poor air quality there.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at the author box below.
Thank you!
