Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — ‘Tis the season for sniffles, sneezes and much, much worse germs. But is there anything you can do to protect yourself from the cold, flu and Covid germs?
Some studies suggest Covid may be twice as infectious as the flu. One way to protect yourself avoid high-risk settings or at least be cautious when you’re there. Bars and restaurants are a big hotspot for transmission. People tend to talk close and not wear masks. Another risky spot is gyms and fitness centers. Heavy breathing during exercise can release a lot more respiratory particles, which can be breathed in by others.
And even if you’re outdoors, experts say if it’s crowded you’re at risk.
What’s your risk of catching what they’ve got? The cold and flu virus can live on surfaces for a few hours. The incubation period after you become infected is 12 hours to three days. And you can be infectious up to 14 days after symptoms start. As for Covid, the virus can live on surfaces between five and nine days. Once infected, symptoms can appear between two to 14 days, and usually you’re not contagious five days after symptoms appear.
If you are going to be at a high-risk place, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask, putting distance between yourself and others, practicing good hygiene, and making sure you are up to date on your vaccines.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor, Matt Goldschmidt, Photographer
To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk
Source:
https://www.thehealthy.com/infectious-disease/places-most-likely-catch-coronavirus/
