Cold and Flu

 

Cold and Flu Prevention


There are several known factors that can make you more susceptible to getting a cold. The number one way to put yourself at risk of getting a cold is to place yourself within close proximity of people who are infected or objects that an infected person has touched. If you never leave your home and wear an outbreak contamination suit to visit the grocery store, you'll greatly reduce your chances of catching a cold.

Beyond this, there are a few practical ways to lessen your risk of contracting a cold or getting the flu. People who keep their immune systems healthy can decrease their risk of getting a cold or flu. The following list contains the same things you would do to decrease your chances of getting catching most viruses. These tips keep the body, and most importantly, the immune system, strong and healthy.

  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Wash your hands often
  • Keep stress levels low. During stressful times, try to break things up with pleasurable activities; Possibly take a walk or talk on the phone with a friend.
  • Eat nutritious foods. Some people stress the importance of Vitamin C. It's good to have adequate levels of this important nutrient, of course, and some doctors have gone so far as to argue for the taking of megadoses of C to prevent colds. But scientific opinion on the subject vary. Some say that there's no hard evidence that Vitamin C prevents colds. In the end, it's inarguable that a good all-around diet with a healthy balance of nutrients will keep your immune system strong. For more information, see the Trusty Guide to Healthy Eating.

Eating healthy strengthens your immune system.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol use, which can weaken the immune system.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking, because it irritates the lining of the nose, sinuses, and lungs, can make you more susceptible to cold and flu.
  • Keep warm. Although you can not catch a cold or flu from cold weather--the cold and flu come from viruses after all--some studies have indicated that exposure to cold air causes blood vessels in the nose to constrict. This decreases the ability of warm blood cells to feed the cells that fight infection. There is also evidence that when body temperature drops, the body does not fight infections as well. (On the other hand, some scientists point out that being outdoors can actually decrease your chance of contracting a cold or flu, since the virus is not easily spread outdoors.) Either way, your mother was right: bundle up and wear adequate clothing in cold weather (hats, scarves, gloves).


Specific Techniques to Prevent Cold and Flu

In addition there are some specific things you can do to help prevent a cold or flu:

  1. Avoid crowds when cold and flu season are at their peak. You can get a cold or flu any time of the year, that is any time you come in contact with the virus. But the season, particularly for flu, typically peaks from December through March.
  2. Keep the air humid. Viruses survive in dry air. (That's one reason cold and flu season is in winter. It's drier. Your mouth and nose tend to be drier, too, which helps the virus.) Use a clean humidifier to make the environment more appealing to you and less appealing to viruses.
  3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes, where the viruses enter the body.
  4. Keep household surfaces like kitchen and bathroom counter-tops clean.
  5. Don't share drinking glasses, utensils, toothbrushes, etc.

The Importance of Clean Hands

Hand washing removes the cold and flu virus from your hands and fingers and prevents the likelihood that they'll end up where you don't want them: inside your body. When washing, don’t forget your wrists and pay special attention to your fingernails and the area between your fingers. Soaps, detergents and antibacterial soaps are helpful in removing the viruses, but they don't kill the rhinoviruses that cause colds. The most important aspect of the hand washing is the running clean water. Rub hands together for 15 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Row your Boat” to yourself twice) then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dry your hands with a clean towel or under a hand dryer.


Always remember to wash you hands!

A Note About the Flu for Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding your baby and contract the flu, there are several precautions you should take. First, you should wear a surgical mask, which is available at drugstores. Wash hands thoroughly (or apply sanitizing gel). You can now breast feed your baby, but remember to leave the surgical mask in place until your baby is finished nursing.  By having clean hands and wearing a surgical mask, you can continue to breastfeed and prevent spreading germs to your baby. Be aware that many medicines can pass to your baby through breast milk, so always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you plan to take medicines while breastfeeding.

Now let's turn to the flu shot, the grand daddy of flu prevention techniques.

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