It seems like winter has become a gauntlet of illness, between colds, flu, COVID-19, and norovirus, it can be impossible to remain healthy. However, knowing these illnesses, their symptoms and the ways in which they spread may help you ride out the season more effectively. Here's a closer look at these winter ills and some proactive measures you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Though viruses are present all year round, winter creates the perfect storm of infections. According to scientists, this uptick is due to more time spent indoors and the cold, dry air weakening our immune defenses. Respiratory and stomach viruses thrive under these conditions, making it vital to distinguish between them for effective care and prevention.

Experts have noticed that the pattern of respiratory illnesses has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. High-level simultaneous spread of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 has been observed, making it a challenging phenomenon for health care systems.

Winter illnesses are very overwhelming, but some basic steps like hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, and getting vaccinated can make a lot of difference in keeping yourself and others safe. If you are feeling unwell, just stay home, rest, and seek the opinion of a healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen.

Spot the Difference Between All Symptoms

Each illness has its own signs, and the following can be seen to point towards the disease.

Norovirus

Often termed as "stomach flu," norovirus spreads by contaminated food, water, or surfaces. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain and last 1–3 days.

Common Cold

Caused by viruses, common colds are generally marked by a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, and sometimes low-grade fever. Its symptoms typically take a week to resolve.

Flu (Influenza)

It can cause sudden onset and symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, cough, and fatigue and may last for up to two weeks.

COVID-19

Its symptoms overlap with flu but might include shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, and fatigue. Duration varies, but the symptoms could be several days or more.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Common in children but increasingly affecting adults over 50, RSV can cause runny noses, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing, persisting for one to two weeks.

If you’re unsure about your illness, testing can provide clarity, especially for COVID-19 and flu, which have specific treatments available.

Also Read: Is US Preparing For A Quad-Demic 2025?

Why Hand Hygiene is the Most Important?

Viruses spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or droplets from coughs and sneezes. One of the easiest things to do to prevent this is by washing your hands frequently with soap and water.

Scour your hands for at least 20 seconds and be sure to clean every area, such as under the nails and between the fingers, for maximum cleanliness. When soap is not available, a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is effective against most germs, though it won't kill norovirus.

Clean your high-touch surfaces regularly, such as doorknobs, light switches, and cell phones. For norovirus, disinfect contaminated surfaces with chlorine bleach solutions. Do not forget to wash clothes or linens that may have come into contact with bodily fluids in hot water and detergent.

Key Preventive Measure To Take When You Are Sick

Prevention is the best strategy against these diseases. Masks, especially N95 or medical-grade ones, reduce exposure to respiratory viruses in crowded or enclosed spaces. Being up to date on COVID-19 boosters, annual flu shots, and RSV vaccines (for those eligible) significantly reduces the severity of infections. Lastly, don't touch your face because touching it introduces germs on your hands into your body.

Your immune system works best when well-rested. Sleep deprivation, stress, and even dehydration weaken your defenses. Prioritizing sleep, managing stress, and staying hydrated can strengthen your body's ability to fight off infections.

Can People Get Both COVID-19 and flu or RSV and COVID-19 at the Same Time?

This winter marks another season of the "tripledemic," with flu, COVID-19, and RSV circulating simultaneously. Some patients are experiencing co-infections, with overlapping symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue. While rare, these cases underline the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures.

If You're Sick, Should You Stay At Home And Rest Or See A Doctor?

If symptoms arise, appropriate measures can help you recover while preventing the spread to others. Staying home minimizes the risk of transmission. Hydration and rest support recovery, while over-the-counter pain relievers and humidifiers can ease symptoms. For norovirus, rehydration is crucial to combat the dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen or persist.

As the seasons progress, remaining vigilant and proactive can help one navigate these tough months while securing health and wellness.

Knowing about several conditions and diseases may not seem like a feasible thing to do for many people, but knowledge does come with power. Knowing signs and symptoms of certain diseases can help you tackle them early on. While many people know what insomnia, vertigo etc. are, only a quarter of them are aware of these particular diseases which is responsible for two of the most common issues, malnutrition and pneumonia.

Dysphagia, which is a condition that makes it difficult to swallow, is much more common than you may think. Published in the Dysphagia journal, this study wanted to see how much people really know about dysphagia compared to other health issues. They found that even though lots of folks struggle with swallowing problems, they don’t know the name of the problem or what it causes. The study showed that 99% of the participants knew about insomnia, 87% knew about Vertigo, but only 25% knew about dysphagia

This lack of knowledge is a big deal because it means people might not get the help they need.

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a scientific term used for trouble swallowing. The Cleveland Clinic explains that it happens when something goes wrong with the muscles or nerves you use to move food and drinks from your mouth to your stomach. Sometimes, it's a problem with the shape of your throat or esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. When you can't swallow properly, food can go down the wrong way, into your lungs. This can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia. Cleveland clinic explains that it increases the risk of pneumonia because it can lead to aspiration, where food, liquid, or saliva enters the lungs instead of the digestive tract, causing infection and inflammation.

The Frontiers in Neurology 2022 study found that people who had dysphagia after a stroke were 10 times more likely to get pneumonia. Dysphagia also causes malnutrition as it makes it harder to consume enough food and fluids, potentially leading to reduced appetite, fear of eating, and a decreased enjoyment of meals, ultimately impacting nutritional intake.

Is This A New Issue?

To double-check what people said in the survey, the researchers looked at the records of millions of patients in hospitals. They found that dysphagia was written down in many more records than vertigo. Insomnia was the most common problem, but dysphagia was still a big issue. This means that a lot of people go to the doctor because they’re having trouble swallowing. The records back up the survey: lots of people have dysphagia. It's important to know about this problem because it affects many lives.

Is Dysphagia A Symptom or A Condition

The Cleveland Clinic explains that dysphagia a symptom of various health issues. These problems might involve your brain and nerves, your muscles, or something physically blocking your throat. To help with swallowing difficulties, doctors may prescribe medicine, suggest changes to how you eat, or perform certain procedures.

Why Should More People Know About This?

The researchers who did this study hope that more people will learn about dysphagia. They want doctors and nurses to know more about it, too. They think that if we talk about it more, people who have trouble swallowing will get help sooner. They want more money to be spent on research to find better ways to treat it. Furthermore, they want everyone to have access to good healthcare, so no one has to suffer because they can’t swallow properly. It’s important to spread the word so people get the help they need

We have all heard about the benefits of using sunscreens, but how many of us actually follow it through? Especially among the men, there is a conventional belief that anything on their skin is not manly enough. But, what if I tell you that even someone as strong as John Cena recommends everyone to wear sunscreen? Would you still choose to not use it?

John Cena, actor and the WWE star has recently opened up about a past skin cancer diagnosis in an effort to bring attention to the important of wearing sunscreen. He told People that he grew up in Massachusetts in the 1970s and 80s, and "never" wore sunscreen. It was later in life when he moved to Florida, and there he "fell in love with the sun", but "neglected" to protect his skin and use sunscreen.

“I was stubborn. I didn’t want to have a routine and I also thought the problem would never reach me. And it’s one of those things where I had a ton of exposure with minimal protection and it caught up with me,” said Cena.

How Did The Diagnose Happen?

It was during one of his routine check-ups that made Cena to re-think to use sunscreen. “It wasn’t until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec,” he said.

Cena is now also the face of a sunscreen brand with SPF 70. He revealed that he was "very lucky" to have a good dermatologist who help him face his fear around his diagnosis.

After the removal of first cancerous spot on Cena's chest, there was another. "A year later, I went back and had another spot removed close to my right shoulder. It shows up like a white polka dot on the side of my chest and on my shoulder. If you watch WWE, you’ll be able to see them," he said.

It was a shock to him, because he never saw being diagnosed with skin cancer coming. "Mind always goes to the worst case scenario," he said. However, it was the diagnosis that allow him to understand the importance of sunscreen that protects one's skin from sun's rays.

“I’m at a great space in my life where that’s now important to me. And I’m so grateful to be able to dodge those two bullets, but I wear them as a reminder of, ‘Hey man, you need to take the extra few seconds to protect yourself every day,’” he said.

ALSO READ: Does Sunscreen Block Your Body's Natural Vitamin D Production?

At What Time Of The Day Should You Apply Sunscreen?

As per the Johns Hopkins Medicine, wearing sunscreen is the easiest and the best ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. It recommends to use it regularly to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging.

While everyone needs sun exposure to produce vitamin D, unprotected exposure to the sun's UV rays can cause damage to the eyes, skin, and the immune system.

To protect, apply 1 ounce of sunscreen throughout your body. To protect your face and neck, you will need about half a teaspoon of sunscreen.

Experts also believe that as long as the sunscreen is at least SPF 30 and is water-resistant, it does not matter what order you apply your skin care products. While some people find it is easiest to work with bare skin, some do it at the end.

"If you’re out there and you brush your teeth, at a young age you learned that going to the dentist when your teeth are in bad shape is bad because it’s painful. The same thing will happen if you don’t take care of your skin, and it’s actually easier than brushing your teeth. Because it’s not something you should exercise to just make you look more beautiful,” Cena said.

“It’s something you should exercise to allow you to be who you are for a longer period of time.”

Just as your habits say a lot about you, the way you sleep also shows a part of you. Everyone has their own way of sleeping, whether it is sleeping on their belly, or being in the habit of needing space when they sleep etc. However, there's a less common position that's been named after a dinosaur: the "T-rex." Imagine a T-rex with its tiny arms pulled close to its chest; that's the position we're talking about. People who sleep this way bend their wrists and bring their hands near their body. It might look a little funny, but for them, it's the most comfortable way to fall asleep and stay asleep all night long.

Why the T-Rex Position Feels Comfortable

Experts also believe that when you bend your wrists and bring them close, you're actually relaxing some of the muscles in your arms and hands. Think of it like a gentle hug for your own body. When your arms are straight, those muscles are a little tense. However, when you bend them, they relax, which can feel really good, especially when you're trying to fall asleep. While there is no substantial evidence of how the T-rex position affects your behavior, a similar sleeping position, which is the fetal position, is said to be comforting with arms and feet drawn close to chest like a fetus in the womb. The Sleep Foundation tells that over 60% of adults sleep in this position. It was also hypothesized that people who sleep this way are more anxious and emotional.

Does The T-Rex Position Have Any Downsides?

Sleeping with your wrists bent all night can cause problems. Mayo Clinic explains that your wrists have nerves, arteries, and tendons running through them, and when you bend them for too long, you put pressure on these delicate structures. This pressure can lead to aches and pains in your wrists and even your elbows. You might also feel numbness or tingling in your hands. If you keep sleeping this way night after night, you could develop conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis, which are painful and can make it hard to use your hands. So, while it's comfy, it's important to be aware of the potential issues.

Managing the T-Rex Sleeping Habit

Completely eliminating a comfortable sleeping position can be challenging. Instead, focus on mitigating the potential problems. Here are some strategies as per WebMD

Sleep Aids

Using a body pillow can provide a sense of security and reduce the need to tuck your arms tightly. Weighted blankets can help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation, potentially lessening the urge for the T-rex position.

Stress Management

Practicing meditation and deep breathing techniques can help manage stress and reduce the likelihood of reverting to the T-rex position. Taking a few minutes to relax and breathe deeply before bed can make a big difference. These practices can help you unwind and prepare for a restful night.

Stretching

Regularly stretching your wrists and arms in the opposite direction of the bent position each morning can help alleviate pain and numbness. Simple stretches, like rotating your wrists or extending your arms, can help improve flexibility and reduce discomfort. Doing these stretches regularly can prevent long-term problems and keep your wrists healthy and strong.