How to avoid holiday sickness as cases increase

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As the temperature starts to drop, it’s beginning to feel like Christmas outside, which means many people are having to deal with holiday-time sicknesses.

According to the CDC, there has been a nearly 5% increase in positive influenza cases the week of November 19th-25th compared to the week of November 12th-18th.

Almost 4% of all visits to a health care provider were to seek treatment of a respiratory illness.

Rand Pennington is a Novant Health family nurse practitioner. He said, in addition to getting a flu shot, there are ways to keep your immune system strong.

“But in general, we tell people to make sure you’re getting good sleep hygiene, not drinking too much alcohol, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercise,” Pennington said. “All of those things can help to keep your immune system healthy so that hopefully if you do become sick, you can recover more quickly or to keep you from becoming sick in the first place.”