Cold and Flu Season

[jimmie 48]

i have been seeing some members with sniffles and coughs and the general feeling of yuckiness.

here we are approching the cold and flu season (for some of us, others are in the throws of summer i guess).

what are some things you do to avoid getting sick?

drinking water of course and hand washing are always helpful. covering your mouth when you cough and staying in and away from others when you feel bad are all good things.

jack and i take echinacea every winter and then in the spring. the last cold i had was march 05 and before that i can't even remember. i swear by the stuff.

what are some things you do or some of the supplements/herbs you take that help you fight the cold and flu season?

[mirna05]

Re: Cold and Flu Season

lots of vitamin C, garlic and betacarotene

[julirama723]

Re: Cold and Flu Season

I take vitamin C, echinacea, drink green tea, and I use hand sanitizer after every class! Exercising regularly also keeps me from getting sick, but if I'm really sick, I take a day and rest--no use spreading my germs to others.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Cold and Flu Season

same here on the rest. i remember the days of having to deal with kids and the thinking certain jobs had to be done. you know, laundry can wait till i'm not sick and so what if a bed doesn't get made or the floor swept.

and yep on the exercise and vitamin c. i use to drink lots of orange juice but that went out the window when i started this.

i drink green tea too. it's my new favorite hot drink

[sadie147]

Re: Cold and Flu Season

I take my multi, a vit c suppliment and I wash my hands frequently. I haven't had a cold or flu in at least a couple of years.

I've also got a flu shot in the past (gov't gives them out free here), If it's going to be a bad flu season I will probably get one again this year.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Cold and Flu Season

http://www.ci.galion.oh.us/Health/HColdPrevent.htm

Though there is no cure for the common cold, there are actions that can be taken to reduce the spread of colds. Here are 10 tips that may help prevent the spread of colds in your home.

1. Wash Hands
   Washing hands literally rinses germs away. Be sure to use soap and warm running water to best wash germs off the hands. Teach children to say their ABC's while washing so they keep their hands under the faucet long enough.
2. Don't Share Cups
   Using paper cups can be helpful to avoid spreading of germs. Having a dispenser of small cups in key areas (e.g., kitchen, bathroom) can help children to make it a habit.
3. Use Paper Tissue
   It is best to blow the nose on paper tissue and throw it away. It is important to keep the nose gently blown to rid the body of mucous; however, throwing the tissue away immediately is also important because it is a source of cold virus that can be spread by leaving it on a counter, desk, couch, chair, etc.
4. Don't touch eyes, nose or mouth
   If exposed to someone with a cold, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth, which is where germs can be passed. Try to help everyone in your household understand how germs can be spread in this way. Wash your hands frequently.
5. Use disposable towels
   In the kitchen and other areas, it is best to use paper or other disposable towels instead of cloth towels. Both bacteria and viruses can live on cloth towels for hours.
6. Keep toys clean
   Toys often carry germs. Regularly wash children's toys in warm, soapy water to kill bacteria and viruses.
7. Sneeze away
   That is, sneeze away from others and into a tissue that can be thrown away. If you have to cover your mouth with your hands, be sure to wash your hands afterwards.
8. Ventilate
   Open windows when the weather permits because germs may remain stagnant in air. Also, keep the air moist to avoid nose irritation (a humidifier can be used).
9. Wipe up germs
   Germs may rest on surfaces (up to three hours) that are touched a lot, such as door knobs, handrails, light switches, telephones, remote controls, and counter tops. Use a disinfectant as often as possible to wipe them clean.
10. Don't smoke or allow smoking
    Smoking can irritate the nose and lungs and drastically increase children's susceptibility to colds. It's best to make your environment a smoke-free one (New York Hospital - Cornell University, Department of Pediatrics, 1996).