How can I protect myself from getting strep?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to my best friend's apartment tonight because she's taking me to the airport tomorrow after she gets off work.

Her roommate, Amanda, got strep over New Year's weekend and I was there but I didn't get sick and now my best friend, Christy, thinks she has strep too... Amanda is on meds so she's not contagious but that means Christy is and I REFUSE to get sick for my trip.

So what do I do? I need to stay there because I have no transportation.

Updates

+1 y

I'm just getting dropped off there tomorrow and being taken to the airport pretty much straight away. So I think I'll be okay.

[goflipaburger]

"The best way to avoid strep throat is to avoid close contact with someone who is already infected with strep. It may also be helpful to reduce stress, get plenty of rest, and fortify your body's natural defenses. Frequent hand washing can help prevent infection as well.

The bacteria are spread by sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, putting your hands to your face or eyes, or close contact with people who are infected. You can also pick up strep by touching objects such as books, doorknobs, tables, or other hard surfaces that were touched by a contaminated person and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth -- hand washing can help prevent this." link

So based off of that you should:

- get LOTS of rest beforehand

- Take vitamins (daily and vitamin C)

- Carry hand sanitation and a small pouch of antibacterial wipes and use it to touch the door knobs and car handle. wipes are a MUST.

- I suggest using a neti pot before and after you see her

- maybe get a mask? I'm not sure if you could also use a scarf over it to look a little less goofy ahah

[goflipaburger]

I would still take vitamins and wipes lol

[Asker]

Lol. I will!

[goflipaburger]

yay! Fly safe and have fun :D

[Asker]

Thanksss! :D I'm going to have to make a mad dash to the airport but I'm hoping it all works out.

[goflipaburger]

Thanks for BA :D

[Anonymous]

per my daughter's pediatrician who said in all the years he's been a kid doctor he's never caught strep because he:

gargles with salt water 3/4 times a day and washes his hands all the time.

also buy some lysol wipes and wipe everything down. door knobs/remote control/fridge door/phone/mouse/keyboard. anything you touch...clean it off with a wipe before you touch it.

good luck!

[themastaplan]

wear a freakin mask lol, I mean seriously if you really don't want it wear one of those masks and just say you may have mono if you think it'd be weird lol

but really, wash your hands often...stay away from their "sneezing" area...talk from a distance, lol I mean it may be weird to them but they should understand...dont sleep in her bed, stay on the couch...

bring lysol if you're really worried...kills 99.9% of germs lol

[WeaponZero]

The only surefire way is a respirator mask like what we use here at the TB clinic.

[Asker]

Do they sell those at Walmart?

[WeaponZero]

They sell variatons of them but I don't think you can get the higher end ones we use there. I could be wrong though.

[Asker]

Well something is better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

I can't stress washing your hands enough! I literally get sick only half as often as I used to. Wash your hands before you eat anything if you're touching your food and don't touch your eyes at all either because germs are spread by contact to your eyes as well. Good luck! You should be fine :)

[martyfellow]

If you're serious about protecting yourself, you'll wear a mask..it's the only physical protection that's effective.

[win-win241]

strep is only contagious the first 24hrs after you start antibiotics

[Impex]

Boost your immunity levels, use Airborne. Its a good vitamin/pill. Can be bought at walmart.

[Scorpi]

I feel like I'm missing something here...What the heck is strep? O.o

[Asker]

Can you not google strep?

[Scorpi]

I thought it might have been a colloquial term for something, that isn't used over here, since I've never heard of it before. So excuse me for asking.

[Asker]

link

[Anonymous]

wear a mask