Holiday Cheer or Holiday Chills? DeTar Offers Tips to Stay Healthy This Winter

12/9/2025

Local providers share how to protect your family from seasonal illnesses and know when to seek care

Winter in the Crossroads is a time for holiday gatherings, cooler weather, and unfortunately, an increase in seasonal illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory infections. Families can unintentionally spread germs during festive gatherings, making it important to take proactive steps to stay healthy and protect loved ones.

“Holiday gatherings are a prime time for winter illnesses to spread,” said Leslie Hanslik, R.N., infection preventionist at DeTar Healthcare System. “We’ve seen recent increases in flu, RSV, and strep. Simple steps like handwashing and staying home when sick can protect you and your loved ones.”

Tips to Stay Healthy This Winter

Hanslik urges everyone to make simple habits part of their daily routine to stay healthy this winter. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—or use hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available—and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow and throw tissues away right away. If you’re feeling sick, stay home to protect coworkers, classmates, and family. Don’t forget to regularly clean commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and phones.

“Taking these small, consistent steps can have a big impact in keeping you and your loved ones healthy this holiday season,” Hanslik said.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol—helps strengthen the immune system. Managing allergies, stress, and exposure to environmental triggers is also important, as these factors can make it easier to get sick.

“During this busy time of year, it’s important to give yourself time to sleep and relax and to be mindful when eating and drinking to reduce your risk of an unexpected visit to a walk-in clinic or ER,” Jessica Heller, FNP-C, with DeTar Medical Group, said. “Balance the indulgent treats with healthy choices, make time for physical activity, connect with friends and family, and make sure you know the signs and symptoms of the winter illnesses in the Crossroads area.”

A tickle in your throat or a runny nose isn’t uncommon during the winter months. But many infections share similar symptoms. Knowing what to look for and practicing consistent prevention can significantly reduce the spread of illness. “Prevention starts with simple, everyday habits,” Heller said. “Flu vaccines, proper hygiene, rest, hydration, and staying home when sick are all practical ways families can stay healthy during the winter months.”

High-Level Differences Between Common Winter Illnesses

Many seasonal illnesses share symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and general discomfort, but each has unique features. Influenza (flu A and B) often begins suddenly with fever, cough, headache, muscle soreness, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. COVID-19 may include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, stomach issues, and loss of taste or smell. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can cause fever, trouble swallowing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and flaring nostrils.

Other conditions include upper respiratory infections, which may bring nasal drainage, sore throat, cough, sneezing, low-grade fever, and body aches, and strep throat, a bacterial infection that can cause severe sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, swollen tonsils, white patches in the throat, and in children, vomiting, stomach pain, or a sandpaper-like rash. Allergic rhinitis is non-contagious and may trigger sneezing, nasal drainage, congestion, cough, and ear or sinus infections. Adenovirus can result in fever, sore throat, eye infection, stomach issues, or acute respiratory illness.

When and Where to Seek Care

Knowing where to go for care can ensure faster treatment, reduce exposure, and help prevent complications. DeTar on Demand Walk-In Clinic is ideal for flu-like symptoms, mild cough or congestion, sore throat, low-grade fever, and most viral illnesses needing quick evaluation. For persistent or recurring symptoms, chronic conditions worsened by illness, preventive care, or follow-up after viral infections, visit a primary care provider. Severe symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, high fever, confusion, dehydration, or rapidly worsening illness in infants, older adults, or immunocompromised individuals—require immediate attention at the nearest ER.

“Getting the right diagnosis is one of the most important steps,” Heller said. “Early evaluation—especially for flu, strep, RSV, or pneumonia—can help ensure the right treatment and reduce complications.”

DeTar Healthcare System reminds you to maintain a balanced diet, manage stress, stay active, and get enough sleep. And, should you need medical care, same-day and walk-in appointments are available at DeTar on Demand and at several DeTar Medical Group primary care clinics. To find a provider, visit mydetardoctor.com .

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