How to prevent cold and flu viruses




















Staying active by following a regular exercise routine — such as walking three times a week — does more than keep you fit and trim. According to a study published in the journal Neurologic Clinicians, regular exercise also:.

Healthy adult participants who slept a minimum of eight hours each night over a two-week period showed a greater resistance to the virus. Those who slept seven hours or less each night were about three percent more likely to develop the virus after exposure. One reason may be that the body releases cytokines during extended periods of sleep. Cytokines are a type of protein. They help the body fight infection by regulating the immune system. Alcohol suppressed the immunity in mice to varying degrees.

Doctors say the study helps explain why vaccines are less effective for people with alcohol addiction. For years, doctors suspected there was a connection between chronic mental stress and physical illness. Finding an effective way to regulate personal stress may go a long way toward better overall health, according to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences. Try practicing yoga or meditation to relieve stress.

Cortisol helps the body fight inflammation and disease. The constant release of the hormone in people who are chronically stressed lessens its overall effectiveness. This can result in increased inflammation and disease, as well as a less effective immune system. For centuries, green tea has been associated with good health. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition , several fresh-brewed cups a day can lead to potential health benefits.

These include lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Shop for green tea. Do you have trouble remembering to eat your fruits and vegetables at every meal? Cooking with all colors of the rainbow will help you get a wide range of vitamins such as vitamin C. Shop for vitamin C. Most people recover within about days. However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Help reduce your risk of getting a cold by washing hands often with soap and water. Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected through contact with stool poop or respiratory secretions from an infected person. This can happen when you shake hands with someone who has a cold, or touch a surface, like a doorknob, that has respiratory viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette: always cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose. There is no cure for a cold. To feel better, you should get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may help ease symptoms but will not make your cold go away any faster.

Always read the label and use medications as directed. Talk to your doctor before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines, since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children.

There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu. Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the four flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. There are several flu vaccine options this flu season.

The tips and resources below will help you learn about additional actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.

The tips and resources below will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs. In the context of the COVID pandemic, local governments or public health departments may recommend additional precautions be taken in your community.

Follow those instructions. Nonpharmaceutical interventions NPIs , are actions — apart from getting vaccinated or taking medicine — that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like flu. Get adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation can comprise the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.

Aim for seven to nine hours each night. Work out. Not only is working out good for your cardiovascular system and weight management, staying fit boosts your immunity and helps you manage your stress levels, which is important for staying healthy in flu season. If you are out and about, keep a bottle of alcohol-based sanitizer in your bag or pocket to de-germ on the go. Germs lurk underneath your nails and biting your nails is just another way you can become infected with the cold or flu virus.

Avoid people who are already sick. If someone is coughing or sneezing, keep your distance. Likewise, if you are sick and contagious, take time to rest at home so you can get better and not spread germs to those you come in contact with.



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