The holidays are a time for celebration, family gatherings and indulgent feasts—but for emergency physicians, they’re also one of the busiest times of the year.
Each year, emergency departments see a predictable increase in visits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Between foodborne illnesses, respiratory infections and kitchen accidents, there are plenty of incidents to keep them busy. The good news? Most of these visits are preventable.
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We asked emergency physicians across the country to share the habits they rely on to keep themselves and their families healthy this holiday season. Their advice is surprisingly simple – and could save the holiday from taking a seriously unpleasant turn.
They keep surfaces clean.
According to Dr. Alexis Halpern, an emergency physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the biggest culprits behind holiday illnesses starts right in the kitchen.
“It’s always important to clean surfaces and cutting boards immediately after handling raw meat, poultry and fish because any bacteria that was present can live on the surfaces for a period of time — hours to even weeks,” she said. “If this touches other food, which is not going to be cooked, it can transfer into that food and make anyone who eats it sick.”
Halpern recommended a simple but thorough cleaning process: “First remove all food debris, use hot water and a mild dish soap (depending on the surface), then use a food-safe sanitizer… If you use towels to dry surfaces, put them in the laundry as well instead of continuing to use them.”
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Her advice extends beyond the kitchen. “Upper respiratory viruses, which are common in the winter, can live on anything people touch, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, cell phones and countertops, for hours to days, depending on the virus,” she said.
“Wash your hands whenever you come in from outside, after being with a lot of people, and if you shake a lot of hands. Also, never touch your face while you’re outside because your eyes, nose and mouth are easy places for viruses to enter your body.”
They make sure they keep their vaccinations up to date.
“Staying current with vaccinations, especially for annual flu and COVID-19, remains the most effective strategy to prevent these viral diseases and their complications,” said Dr. Peggy Tseng Ji, an emergency physician.
This is especially critical for high-risk groups: “Vaccination substantially reduces hospitalization and mortality in high-risk populations,” she noted. Her advice: “Get your shots up to date as early as possible during cold and flu season, which starts in October and peaks between December and February.”
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They continue to wash their hands.
Ji makes sure to keep washing her hands to stay virus-free during the season as well.
“Handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based disinfectants may not be groundbreaking, but evidence consistently shows that this old-fashioned habit reduces the incidence of acute respiratory infections,” she explained.
“Wash your hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds, cleaning both palms, between fingers, and all fingertips. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be used when soap and water are not available, but must contain at least 60% alcohol.”
This is especially important if you are playing with pets or while preparing food, he added Dr. Gauthami Somaa Yale Medicine pediatric emergency medicine specialist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine.
Leaving food out for long periods of time and then eating it can lead to foodborne illness. LumiNola via Getty Images
Do not let food sit for long periods of time.
Holiday meals often stretch on for hours – but that spread of stuffing, gravy and turkey left on the counter could be a ticking time bomb. Dr. Kirsten Bechtela pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Yale Medicine, warned that food safety mistakes are a common reason for holiday emergency visits.
“The danger zone for bacterial growth in prepared/cooked foods is 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Bechtel said. “Food should be cooled before refrigeration.”
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Her rule of thumb: “Any prepared/cooked or cold food should not be left out for more than two hours.” To be safe, she recommends keeping cold foods on ice and hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit using crocks or pots. “If you want to reheat leftovers in the microwave, make sure you reheat it to above 165 degrees Fahrenheit or steaming hot.”
While keeping food hot, be aware of the dangers hot food poses to little ones. “Hot cooking items on the stove can cause burns if tilted and in contact with the skin—remember to place stove items on the farthest back burner and turn the handle inward and away from small children trying to reach,” Soma said.
They make sure they have a medical kit handy.
No matter how prepared you are, it helps to have essentials close at home. Halpern suggested keeping a few key medications ready for unexpected events like a snowstorm or hurricane.
“It’s never a bad idea to have fever reducers and pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen,” Halpern said. “It’s also a good idea to have diphenhydramine, which can be used if someone has an allergic reaction, especially if you have guests who may have food and other allergies that no one knows about.”
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She added: “Make sure you keep the instructions for safe use, both for adults and for weight-based dosing for children… and make sure they have child-resistant caps.”
They are careful to mask when needed.
When you’re in a crowded gathering or caring for someone who’s sick, it’s always best to wear a mask, Ji said.
“Masks act as a physical barrier, limiting the spread of infectious particles from both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals,” she explained. “When I was sick with COVID-19, I wore an N95 around my family at all times…I was able to continue to take care of both my children and breastfeed without infecting anyone else.”
She recommended N95 respirators for the best protection, followed by surgical masks. “For maximum protection, wear masks consistently and properly — covering both nose and mouth — especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces,” Ji said.
They pay attention to warning signs and seek medical attention when necessary.
Even with all the right precautions, illnesses do happen. But knowing when to go to the doctor — or the emergency room — can save lives.
Halpern stressed the importance of listening to your body: “Winter colds and viruses are common and can range from coughs, congestion and sore throats to headaches, body aches, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.”
However, certain symptoms require urgent care. “If these symptoms progress to feeling short of breath because you can’t get enough air in or breathe very fast, severe weakness or lethargy, or a fever over 103 that lasts for days or doesn’t respond to fever-reducing medications, it’s important to seek medical attention,” Halpern said.
She also cautioned against ignoring severe dehydration: “If you can’t stop vomiting, have persistent diarrhea, or stop urinating, you may be severely dehydrated… Please get seen in person so you can get IV fluids and have electrolytes topped up as needed.”
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or know someone who is, go to the nearest urgent care facility or emergency room immediately. “We’d rather see you, tell you you’re going to be okay, and send you home with supportive care and medication than to stay home and get dangerously ill,” Halpern said.
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