Why Is Everybody Getting Sick?

You’re covering for multiple coworkers who are home sick, and your kids are spending their school days surrounded by empty desks. Now, you’re getting a text from your youngest child’s daycare: Their best buddy just got sent home with a fever.

Why is everyone sick right now? Is there a new cold going around?

Primary care physician Neha Vyas, MD, explains why some infectious diseases seem to be everywhere all at once — and how to protect your family.

Factors that contribute to the spread of illnesses

We’re surrounded by germs all the time. When they make us sick, it’s usually because of many overlapping circumstances. Here are a few of them.

Exposure

What is the sickness going around your community right now? If it’s new — or most people in your area have never had it — your immune system will be less prepared to ward it off.

That’s one reason flu season can be so tough.

“The flu virus is always mutating,” Dr. Vyas explains. “That means that our immune systems may not fully recognize the newest strain.”

Close quarters

You don’t often hear the phrase “social distancing” anymore. But the fact remains: You’re more likely to get sick if you’re around sick people. That’s one of the reasons respiratory season happens during the time of year that we’re most likely to congregate indoors.

Inconsistent handwashing

“Good hand hygiene is crucial to preventing the spread of disease,” Dr. Vyas states. “But many people, especially children, may not wash their hands as well or as often as they should.”

The result? High-touch surfaces like stair rails, conference tables and vending machines can become a waystation for all sorts of germs.

Not covering coughs and sneezes

Diseases like the common cold, the flu and COVID-19 can spread through the respiratory droplets that get released when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t cover your nose and mouth, those droplets can end up on the people and surfaces around you.

“Some highly contagious viruses, like measles, can linger in the air for up to two hours,” Dr. Vyas adds. “So, always cover a cough or sneeze, even if you’re alone.”

Poor immune health

A weak immune system struggles to fend off germs. So, some people are more vulnerable to infection and severe illness than others, including:

• Pregnant women
• Infants and children under 5
• Individuals with medical conditions that weaken the immune system, like HIV
• People with chronic conditions that increase infection risk, like diabetes
• Those who take medications to suppress their immune system, like anti-rejection drugs or steroids
• Adults aged 60 and up

Immune health can also decline in response to different situations, like chronic stress, inadequate nutrition or a recent bout of illness.

“If a bug’s making the rounds in your community, people whose immune systems are under strain will be at greater risk of catching it,” Dr. Vyas says.

Ventilation issues

If everyone in your building seems to have the sniffles right now, it could have something to do with the way the air is circulating. Stale, indoor air lets virus-containing particles hang around longer, upping the odds that they spread to others.

Contaminated foods

Whether it’s dirty hands touching shared utensils around the dinner table, a missing sneeze guard at the buffet, or food that’s contaminated with bacteria or parasites, outbreaks of E.coli, Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses can make lots of people sick in a short time.

Changing weather conditions

When the weather outside is frightful, your immune system can struggle to keep you feeling well. Changes in temperature, humidity and barometric pressure can cause a range of symptoms and may leave you more vulnerable to illness.

“Every season comes with its own set of health challenges,” Dr. Vyas says. “But cold, dry winters are especially rough. The weather damages your mucous membranes and irritates your skin, weakening your body’s natural defenses against germs.”

Preventive measures

There’s no way to guarantee you’ll get through an outbreak of illness in your community unaffected, but there’s plenty you can do to improve your odds, like:

• Be aware of what’s circulating. “Find out what viruses are going around right now, and what kind of symptoms they cause,” Dr. Vyas suggests. “And be sure to stock up on over-the-counter cold and flu medications ahead of time.”
• Keep your distance. Avoid crowded indoor spaces when you can. If you have to be around someone who’s sick — or you have a loved one who’s at high-risk for complications — wearing a mask can provide an extra layer of protection.
• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day — especially after using the restroom and before and after preparing food. If you’re not near a sink, use hand sanitizer to tide you over.
• Cover your cough. “If you need to cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue or the crook of your arm,” Dr. Vyas urges. “If you use your hands to blow your nose, cough or sneeze, wash them or use hand sanitizer before touching other people or surfaces.”
• Build your natural defenses. You can boost your immune health by staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, maintaining an active lifestyle, minimizing stress where you can and eating nourishing foods.
• Manage chronic conditions. “Your annual physical isn’t just about checking a box,” Dr. Vyas says. “It helps us catch health issues early and better protect you against illnesses as they arise.”
• Keep air flowing. You can improve indoor air quality by opening your windows, using HEPA filters in your HVAC system and running an air purifier. “If the weather’s dry, using a humidifier can help your skin barrier and mucous membranes stay healthy,” she adds.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces. Use a spray that’s proven to kill stubborn germs like norovirus. And don’t neglect small surfaces! Light switches, faucets and your laptop are primo real estate for germs.
• Talk to your doctor about vaccination. “Vaccines are one of the best tools we have to prevent the spread of contagious conditions like chickenpox, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough (pertussis),” Dr. Vyas says.

If it seems like the whole world is rocking a runny nose or a sore throat, take comfort in knowing that even the smallest lifestyle choices can help protect you and your loved ones.