Winter is coming, and so is the flu… It’s that time again when you might start feeling a little scratch in your throat or a fever coming on. Cold and flu season is never fun, especially when you’re the one fighting off sickness. Germs lurking around every corner, it may seem like getting sick is inevitable. But you can protect yourself against cold and flu viruses with these germ-busting tips. Here's your game plan to stay healthy this flu season.
Recognizing a Cold vs. the Flu:
It's important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms.
A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. Everyone has had a cold at some point, and the symptoms of a cold are easy to spot.
They include Runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat.
These symptoms are unpleasant, but most people get over the cold in just a few days. Cold symptoms usually last for about a week.
On the other side, flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly.
Symptoms of flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough.
Knowing the difference can help you decide if you can ride it out or need to call your doctor.
5 Tips for Staying Healthy:
1. Wash your hand
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs that can cause the flu and other serious respiratory illnesses. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to keep cold and flu viruses at bay, but only if you do it right. It recommends scrubbing for at least 20 seconds each time.
2. Watch Your Diet,
You must be getting adequate nutrition. Your body needs protein, vitamins, and minerals to maintain its defenses. You can eat oranges as they contain vitamins that boost the immune system.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Your body slows down when it’s tired, making it harder to fight off a cold or flu. So you have to sleep at least seven to eight hours a night.
Rest and sleep also reduce your risk of serious flu complications, like pneumonia.
4. De-Stress
Long-term stress weakens the responses of your immune system. Stress decreases the body's lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off infection. So do what you can to relax.
5. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is common advice when you get sick with the cold or the flu. We’re about 60% water, so staying hydrated is necessary for all functions, including those of your immune system. Water is best, but you can also drink herbal teas or tea with honey. These can have a soothing effect on your symptoms while keeping you hydrated.
Tips for Relieving Cold and Flu Symptoms
If you haven’t managed to avoid getting sick, you’ll want to know how you can minimize your symptoms as you recover and not get worse sick.
- Stay home and rest
- Treat aches and fever with over-the-counter medications
- Take care of your cough with expectorants
- Run a humidifier if your indoor environment is dry
- Increase your fluid intake
- Drink warm liquids
- Use gargles for sore throat
- Adjust your sleeping position
- Breathe in some steamy air
- Take medication to manage symptoms
- Manage fever
- Call your doctor
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