Is your family prepared for cold and flu season?

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Is your family prepared for cold and flu season?

Posted Monday, January 16, 2006

http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/living/health/cold-flu-season-

60116.shtml

It's the time of year for sneezing, coughing and the oh-so-dreaded

flu. Are you doing everything you can to prepare your family for the

onslaught of cold and flu season? In addition to increasing your

intake of Vitamin C, and perhaps getting a flu shot, there are a

number of quick tips to help your family survive this winter –

healthier and happier. According to Dr. Reynolds, a

microbiologist at the University of Arizona, " While there aren't any

vaccines for the common cold, there are plenty of defense mechanisms

the average person can use to ward off germs and keep healthy. "

Dr. Reynolds' top ten tips include:

1. Eat right, exercise and get enough sleep. Sticking to a diet that

includes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit each day, as well as

exercising regularly, will make it easier for your body to resist

any kind of infection, including colds and flu. If your diet is less-

than-perfect, add a multivitamin to your daily routine. In addition,

if you are well-rested and get eight hours of sleep each night, you

will be less vulnerable to catching a virus.

2. Get in a lather. Wash your hands frequently with warm water,

particularly around your rings and under your nails. Use liquid or

plain soap, and lather for at least 20 seconds. The friction and

lathering is what is most important. When turning off the water, be

sure to use a paper towel to prevent recontaminating your hands.

3. Vaccinate. Flu shots aren't for everyone . . . but if you're over

the age of 65, have a chronic disease affecting your heart and

lungs, have diabetes or kidney problems, take certain drugs that

affect the immune system, or work in institutions that care for

these people; you should consider getting the flu vaccine. This

preventative measure may lesson your symptoms or keep you from

getting the flu altogether.

4. To help clean the air around you. From sick children and

allergens to mold and fungal spores, the air we breathe inside our

homes can be worse than the air we breathe outside. To help clean

the air in your home, use an air sanitizer.

5. Don't touch! Colds and flu are spread most often by hand-to-hand

or surface-to hand contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

after being exposed to viruses or bacteria.6. Sneeze safely. If you

have to sneeze and can't find a tissue in time, sneeze into your

shoulder (not your hands) to avoid spreading germs.

7. Disinfect, disinfect, disinfect! Be sure to clean and disinfect

frequently used surfaces such as telephones, countertops, door knobs

and stair rails to avoid hand-to-hand spread of viruses.

8. Open the windows. Germs like stagnant air and will remain there.

Weather permitting, open windows to circulate fresh air.

9. Avoid smoking. Smoking is a respiratory irritant that increases

susceptibility to viruses that cause colds and the flu. Avoid

smoking, as well as second-hand smoke.

10. Stay away from sick people. Saving the best advice for

last . . . because colds and viruses are shared when these

infections are coughed and sneezed into the air, try to stay away

from people who are ill; and avoid enclosed, crowded places. If

you're sick yourself, be sure to stay away from work and other

public places if at all possible.

So, you've followed these tips and you still got sick? Not to worry.

According to Dr. Reynolds, " The best treatment is to rest, keep warm

and drink plenty of fluids to help flush the germs out of your

system. Although there aren't any drugs to specifically cure the

cold or flu, there are some nonprescription medications to help

relieve symptoms such as headaches, sore throats and coughs. Always

check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new

medications, as they may have negative interactions with

prescriptions you are already taking. "

And while you're on the mend . . . it can't hurt to try some

comforting cures, from chicken noodle soup to tea with honey –

sometimes these remedies can do wonders in getting you and your

family back on your feet.

content courtesy of ARA