Bronco Fans: How To Intercept Germs At A Super Bowl Get-Together
(CBS4) - Super Bowl fever may be more than an expression. A new study shows a spike in flu cases from big game get-togethers, with the fans of participating teams at highest risk of being blitzed by illness.
A new study in the American Journal of Health Economics studied flu outbreaks from 1974-2009, and found that the big game causes more than just heartburn and gnawed fingernails.
Flu deaths jumped 18 percent right after the championship tilt in the cities of the champions -- with a lesser jump in cities whose teams didn't make the cut for the big game. Flu cases really spiked as well in championship cities.
When it you think about it, it does make sense. There will be more parties and get-togethers in Denver (and Carolina) than, say, NEW ENGLAND, and all of those people huddled together means hello to cheering … and howdy to germs.
Close contact, hugs, high-fives, dipping into communal dip, one party goer who doesn't wash their hands properly, that big bowl of nuts -- it all means germ will spread faster than you can say "Omaha."
Then think about that one someone who can't handle a no-huddle offense and has to make an appearance when they should be keeping their coughs and sneezes to themselves at home. Oh why, oh why, did you you show up at our party?
So what's your game plan if you're heading to a home or restaurant for Super Bowl Sunday?
It's the usual playbook:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Don't use the single towel that may be hanging for everyone to use in the bathroom.
- Don't share food, drinks, or utensils.
- Make sure you've had your flu shot (no, it's not too late, even though you'll get partial, not full protection).
- Keep your hands out of those big bowls of shared chips, nuts, and candies.
- And if a cougher plops down on the couch next to you, call an audible and catch the game from a different angle (minimum six feet radius, if not more).
- Finally, if you're sick, don't even think about showing up and infecting Bronco Nation.
Remember, the Super Bowl is nothing to sneeze at. And even though the study was on influenza, there are a lot of other germs out there ready to chop block your health.
So don't forget the dip.
Don't forget the hand sanitizer.
Go Denver!
Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida.
