We all have to visit the doctor’s office at some point or another. Unfortunately for me…I’m in there 2-3 times a month. Doctor’s offices, medical clinics and hospitals are some of the most germ ridden places on earth! You can go in feeling perfectly fine and a few days later come down with something totally nasty. Yes, you most likely acquired germs while you were there.
Here are some tips on how you can avoid germs while visiting the doctor’s office.
1. Carry antibacterial hand gel along with you! Use it before you enter the building and as soon as you come out!
2. Leave personal items in your vehicle and ONLY take items inside that you need. That means leaving your handbag, cellphone, tablet, etc. locked up in your car. Just take your insurance card, photo ID and method of payment. If you take items inside the facility those items come in contact with bacteria and viruses which you then transport home.
3. Try to avoid sitting beside people in the waiting room who look sick!
4. Ask for a mask! A lot of offices will give you a free mask to cover your nose and mouth if you ask them. If you have a fragile immune system…I highly recommend it.
5. Limit touching! Don’t pick up magazines nor touch items that you don’t have to touch! Those items have been touched by hundreds of sick people! Try keeping your hands to yourself. Avoid shaking hands or hugging staff and/or other patients.
6. Make sure you’re handed a clean changing gown and that the examine table has been properly cleaned in between patients. If it doesn’t look sparkly clean…ask them to clean it.
7. Avoid drinking from the water fountain, using the coffee maker or enjoying any snacks that they may have laying out.
8. If you use the restroom make sure you wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 3 minutes. Limit touching as much as possible while you’re in there.
9. Change your clothing and wash your hands as soon as you get home. Place clothing immediately into the washing machine or at the very least into the hamper. Don’t let your clothing laying on the floor. Wash and dry your items as soon as possible.
10. It wouldn’t hurt to lightly spray the inside of your vehicle with Lysol Disinfecting Spray to help kill any germs that you transported by accident into your vehicle.
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This is a great list of tips on how to avoid germs. I do most of these and wash my hands thoroughly too.
I thought I was the only one scared of the germs in doctors’ offices, lol. I cringe when I see healthy kids playing with those toys all doctors’ offices these days. That was the worst idea ever. No one should touch those things.
These are excellent suggestions. I do this when I come home from church too. Everyone wants to hug and shake hands.
WOW Shelly, this is my favorite post on Two Classy Chics ever! I hate germs and really thought I pretty much knew everything about them. Wash your hands, don’t touch door knobs, cover mouth when coughing and sneezing etc. It never occurred to me to leave personal items in my car and when going into the doctor office. Also, I never thought of using hand sanitizer before and afterwards. As far as changing clothes when getting home, I just didn’t know to do that.
As my husband is a Diabetic and we go to the Primary Care Doc every 6 weeks for a check up for him, we are exposed to many germs. After reading this post, I feel much better informed.
You gave some wonderful advice. I worked for a doctor for many years and keeping well it is tricky. Just want to add – Keep your hands away from your face!