As El Niño returns to Southern California, remember that weather changes can affect your health in ways that are easy to overlook, living in our usual sunny Mediterranean climate. Here are five ways to stay safe and healthy during a storm:
1. Get Your Flu Shots 
Shifts in rainfall and temperature can change how migratory birds act. Birds can carry strains of the influenza virus, which may find their way to you. Harsh conditions cause these birds to separate from their normal migration patterns, to regroup once the storm has passed. Since the virus can mutate differently in separated groups, it’s possible that these birds can return with different strains of the influenza virus.
Annual fall and winter vaccines are the best way to keep yourself protected from the flu, and you can schedule an appointment for one here.
2. Know the Risks of Contaminated Food and Water
Though it’s natural to assume that tap water is safe to drink, floods during heavy rains can contaminate the water supply, causing sickness if ingested. Listen for any news announcements advising against drinking municipal tap water. If there’s any doubt, boil it for one minute (three minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet) before using it for anything that could be ingested (cooking, bathing, brushing your teeth).
Also, throw away any food that may have been touched by flood water, and be sure to check for food spoilage after a power outage.
3. Prepare and Use Safety Measures in Your Home
There are potential structural, electrical, and gas-related hazards in your home that can “activate” after a disaster like a flood. Keep electrically powered objects as far from the ground as possible and away from anywhere that water may reach it. Make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area when using stoves, generators and engines because these can give off odorless, yet deadly carbon monoxide gas (it’s best to avoid running a combustion engine indoors, period). To prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew that can cause illness, disinfect and dry out buildings and the items in them. Remember to also stay warm and dry during the periods of heavy rainfall.
4. Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes
Flooding rain creates ideal breeding conditions for these flying insects, which can carry disease. While they may not be prominent during the storm itself, the pools of standing water that remain afterwards are great breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. Wearing long-sleeved and long-legged clothing are two easy ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes, as well as using a DEET-containing repellant, and minimizing outdoor time if possible during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are at their most active.
5. Drive with Caution
Driving through flooded roads can often cause automobiles to stall, or even be swept away. Avoid rushing water of unclear depth, and drive slowly when the roads are wet. Remember: roads are often the slickest after a rain preceded by a drought, and many Southern Californians aren’t used to the change in how cars behave when the road is drenched.
Stay safe and calm this winter.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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