Get ready for cold and flu season

With winter right around the corner, the number of respiratory infections lurking among us is on the rise. While there’s no miracle cure for the flu or common cold, here’s some advice to help you get through the season.

Preventing colds
While a wide assortment of preventive measures is routinely touted, the only way to truly protect yourself from the common cold is to wash your hands regularly and often.

Garlic, both fresh and in supplement form, can help reduce the incidence of colds and their duration.

As for vitamin C, while it doesn’t prevent colds, some studies indicate that it may slightly shorten them in people who take it on a regular basis.

Preventing flu
Flu prevention is a more serious issue. Of the millions of Americans infected last year, 80,000 vulnerable patients died.

While its effectiveness can vary from year to year, the influenza vaccine remains the single best way to protect yourself, and others, from contracting the flu.

Treating flu and colds
If you’ve gotten sick despite your best efforts, here are a few ways you can relieve your symptoms:

• Get lots of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use throat sprays and lozenges
• Use nasal irrigation
• Take over-the-counter drugs (analgesics, decongestants, expectorants, etc.)

Over-the-counter cold and flu medications can provide relief but be careful: most contain a cocktail of ingredients and some may be inappropriate under certain circumstances. Consult your pharmacist to ensure you select a safe and effective product.

When to see a doctor
If your symptoms are severe or last longer than ten days, consult a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that antibiotics won’t help combat colds and flus and that antiviral drugs are only recommended for patients who present a high risk for complications. In most cases, getting lots of rest is what’s required to get better.

Did you know?
Contrary to popular belief, cold air isn’t to blame for cold and flu infections. People tend to spend more time inside during the cold months, which increases the risk of transmitting illnesses.

Did you know?
Using a humidifier can help relieve respiratory symptoms, but only if you scrupulously follow the manufacturer’s directions. Unless they’re cleaned thoroughly and regularly, humidifiers provide an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to grow, which means you could end up breathing in more pathogens.

Did you know?
While using your hands to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing helps limit the number of pathogens you spray into the air, it also means you’ll be contaminating everything you touch afterwards. Public health agencies recommend that you sneeze or cough directly into a paper tissue. If that’s not possible, use the crook of your elbow or your upper arm.