5 Habits Doctors Never Do During Flu Season: How They Stay Healthy Despite Daily Contact with Thousands of Patients

Flu season is rampant, and do you know what measures doctors take to protect their own health? In northern regions, this flu season is particularly complex, leading to many hospitalizations and compromised lung function. As the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors, respiratory illnesses tend to spread rapidly in confined spaces.

 

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu cases begin to rise in October and typically peak from December to February. Besides the flu, other respiratory viruses such as the rhinovirus and RSV—which cause cold-like symptoms—are also circulating. And COVID-19 remains a persistent threat.

Doctors aren’t immune to the risks during this time of year, but they know exactly how to protect themselves. Here are the practices that experts never compromise on to maintain their health:

1. Never Skip or Delay the Flu Vaccine
   Professor Marie-Louise Landry from Yale School of Medicine explains that skipping or postponing the flu shot can put you at risk of severe complications related to the flu. She shares, "I used to suffer from severe flu episodes multiple times. Since I started getting vaccinated annually, I've only had a mild flu once, and it was much shorter in duration."
   Everyone from six months of age onward is recommended to receive the flu vaccine each season—with few rare exceptions. Get vaccinated as soon as it’s available in your community to allow your body time to build up antibodies against the virus.

2. Avoid Going to Work When Sick
   Professor Richard A. Martinello, an infectious disease and pediatrics specialist at Yale School of Medicine, emphasizes, "I always avoid going to work if I have the flu or a cold. We have a responsibility to protect one another; working while sick puts those around us at risk of infection."

3. Wear a Mask in Public Places
   Using a mask when in public drastically reduces the risk of spreading respiratory droplets into the air when you cough or sneeze.

4. Wash Your Hands Frequently
   Poor hand hygiene is a major risk factor for contracting the flu or a common cold. Experts recommend keeping your hands clean by washing them regularly.
   Professor Martinello explains, "When our hands pick up viruses from contaminated surfaces, touching our eyes or nose can easily lead to illness."
   If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can serve as a temporary substitute.

5. Avoid Overloading Your Schedule
   It’s crucial to rest adequately when you’re sick. Often, we try to power through our busy routines regardless of how we feel, ignoring our body’s signals to rest. Sufficient sleep is key to a faster recovery from a cold or the flu—illness symptoms can last up to two weeks, and lack of sleep is linked to increased inflammation and a weakened immune response, potentially prolonging recovery.

By prioritizing these healthy habits, you’re giving yourself the best chance to avoid illness during the most challenging season of the year.