It's sick season. Here's how to protect yourself from norovirus, coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

During the winter, there seems to be little protection from danger. some kind of disease — Influenza, new coronavirus infection, norovirus,cold.

Although many of the germs that cause this dire situation can circulate year-round, flu and cold activity spikes in winter because we spend more time indoors and the cold, dry air Scientists think it may be to weaken our defenses.

But it's helpful to know what these bugs are and how they spread. Although it may be difficult to get through this season completely unscathed, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from these respiratory and stomach viruses.

Some symptoms are difficult to distinguish from illness, especially for respiratory viruses. There is no doubt about the rest.

— norovirus Food poisoning can be spread through water and contaminated surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain for about 1 to 3 days.

— cold It can be caused by several different types of viruses and can cause a runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headache, body aches, or low-grade fever within a week.

— influenzaIt is caused by a constantly changing influenza virus that causes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Flu symptoms tend to appear sooner than cold symptoms and can last from a few days to two weeks.

— COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) For several days, it can cause fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, stuffy nose, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

— RSV It can cause a runny nose, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and loss of appetite for 1 to 2 weeks.

Seriously. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap. — Important for reducing the spread of norovirus, colds, flu, and COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is especially true after using the bathroom and after eating or preparing food.

Do not speed past. While rubbing, count slowly to 20.

If soap and water are not available, try a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, that alone is not enough. To eradicate norovirus.

If you are infected with norovirus, you should immediately clean surfaces that came into contact with contaminated food or body fluids. The CDC recommends using chlorine bleach or chlorine bleach to disinfect items. One of the products featured on this Environmental Protection Agency website.

Remember to wash clothing that has come in contact with vomit or feces using hot water and detergent. Next, wash your hands. Also.

When it comes to colds and flu, it's best to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces. Think doorknobs, light switches, countertops, favorite toys, and cell phones.

Use a household cleaner containing soap or detergent, followed by a disinfectant. The CDC has more tips on how to clean.

COVID-19 typically spreads through the air through droplets and particles, and the CDC says the risk of transmitting the virus from contaminated surfaces is low.

The virus can be spread by talking, coughing, and sneezing, so cover your mouth with a tissue if you feel a tickle in your throat or nose. Next, wash your hands. Also.

Also, consider wearing an N95 mask or medical-grade mask in crowded areas to protect yourself from respiratory viruses, even if you are not sick.

Don't touch your face. If you get bacteria or viruses (respiratory viruses or norovirus) on your unwashed hands and touch your face, eyes, or nose, it can get into your mucous membranes, and voila! I'll get sick.

The latest COVID-19 vaccines are available. Annual influenza vaccination Applicable to people over 6 months old. If you are over 60 years old or pregnant, respiratory syncytial virus vaccine.

However, there are no vaccines for norovirus or the common cold.

If you're sleep deprived, stressed, or dehydrated, your immune system may not function as well as it should. So if you can help it, don't let it fall to the ground. rest. sleep. drink water

If you get sick, a rapid test can help determine whether you have COVID-19 or the flu. It is important to find out if you need any of the medications that will help prevent serious illness. In other words, Paxlobid is used for coronavirus infection, and Tamiflu is used for influenza.

Above all, if you have symptoms, please stay home to avoid transmitting the disease to others.

To treat a cold, flu, or COVID-19, rest and stay hydrated. You can take painkillers to lower your fever and relieve body aches. Humidifiers can also be effective for symptoms.

There are no medicines that are effective against norovirus. Instead, you should stay as hydrated as possible with water and other liquids. Get help if you are dehydrated, have a dry mouth or throat, are not urinating well, or feel dizzy when you stand up.

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Associated Press Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content.