subject: Cold and Flu Prevention tips [print this page] Cold and Flu Prevention tips Cold and Flu Prevention tips
Cold and flu do not have any known cure so the best way to deal with them is to prevent them. Flu shots are the most effective way of preventing flu. However, there are other means as well which help prevent the incidence of cold and flu. These are;
Keeping your hands clean: Cold and flu germs have the ability to live on surfaces for days and even weeks. This allows the virus to be transported onto any frequently used surface, such as the keyboard or a door knob and then latch onto a new host. It is therefore necessary to wash one's hands since these are the parts which come in contact with such surfaces most frequently.
Not to sneeze on your hands: Sneezing and coughing transfers cold and flu germs and by doing so onto the hands, a person is allowing the germs to be transferred further.
Don't touch your face: Touching one's face transfers cold and flu germs to the face and the viruses enter the body though the eyes, nose and the mouth.
Drink water: Water flushes the system and allows the body to get rid viruses while re-hydrating it.
Saunas: According to unconfirmed research, taking a sauna twice a week reduces the risk of cold and flu since it allows the person to inhale hot air which kills off the virus.
Get fresh air: Fresh air is helpful in warding off cold and flu since it allows the lungs to process clean air, free of germs.
Exercise: Daily exercise helps pump more blood to the heart and provide oxygen to body organs. This builds up the body's immune system.
Eat vegetables: Vegetable and plants contain Phytochemicals which boost the vitamins in food. These help the immune system in warding off cold and flu.
Eat Yogurt: Eating yogurt helps the intake of a special form of bacteria which stimulates the production of immune system substance s needed for fighting of virus.
Stop smoking: Smoking weakens the immune system making the person more susceptible to cold and flu virus. It also dries up the lining of the nasal passage and suspends the wavy movements of the cilia, delicate hair lining the mucous membranes.
Cilia play an important part in expunging cold and flu viruses as they sweep them out. So by suspending their movements, the viruses build up and enter the body.
