Tag Archives: flu

Six Ways to beat cold and flu this winter

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cold_flu

The days are shorter and darker, the weather is wet and cold and many of us will be susceptible to the cold and flu. So what can we do to beat the flu this winter?

1. Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin C and zinc have been proven to help your body strengthen its defence mechanisms to fight off the bacteria and viruses that can cause colds and the flu.
If you have a well balanced diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables you will really support your body to fight off illness. If, however, you find that getting your five a day isn’t possible why not try vitamin supplements. These are available as tablets, effervescent tablets or liquids.

2. Get the flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine is particularly important for certain more vulnerable groups. People who should get the flu vaccine include the elderly, those people with a pre-existing illness and pregnant women. There is a myth that the flu vaccine can cause the flu. This isn’t possible so don’t let it put you off. You’ll be thankful you had the vaccine when you keep well through the winter months.

3. Cover your mouth and nose

If you do develop a cough or a sniffle, think of those around you. Use a clean disposable tissue and throw this away immediately after using. A simple act of covering your cough or sneeze can prevent the cold being spread to those close to you.

4. Wash your hands thoroughly

After sneezing or coughing it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water to ensure you get rid of all the germs that may have deposited. Carry alcohol wipes or gels to use when it isn’t possible to wash your hands properly. Also, wash your hands after shaking hands with strangers, as you cannot be sure what germs they may have.

5. Quit smoking

Smoking changes the lining of the airways so smokers are more susceptible to developing a cold or flu. It can also weaken the defence mechanisms your body uses to fight off infection making you more susceptible to ill health.

6. Get a good night sleep

Rest is essential as it allows your body to develop a strong defence system. Getting eight hours sleep a night will keep your body fighting fit and ready to protect you from illness. Read our article on how to sleep like a baby.

Winter Health

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4_065_ColdFluRescue

As we move into the colder winter months the incidence of the cold and flu will increase. For many this will mean a few days of bed rest but for the elderly and those with other medical conditions it can have much more serious consequences.

So, how do you know if you have a cold or the flu?

The symptoms of a cold are similar to that of the flu, although anyone suffering from the flu will find that these symptoms are more severe. Many people can go about their day-to-day activities if they just have a cold. Those who have the flu will be bedridden and won’t be able to leave the house; such is the impact that the flu has on the body.

What symptoms will you notice with a cold or the flu?

As mentioned, the symptoms of a cold and the flu are similar and include:

  • Chesty (productive) or dry (tickly) cough
  • Stuffy, congested nose
  • Aches and pains
  • Lethargy

How can you avoid a cold or the flu?

Vitamins and minerals can have some benefit in speeding up your recovery from a cold or the flu. Vitamin C and zinc have been shown to slightly reduce the severity of a cold but will not cure it.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone over 65 years of age, those with other medical conditions and pregnant women. The reason the flu vaccine is effective is because it introduces a small amount of an inactivated virus into your body, which then allows your body to recognize and fight the flu virus if you become infected again. The flu vaccine doesn’t cause the flu but you may experience a slight increase in temperature and have a few aches after having the vaccine but these are only very short term.

What if you do get a cold?

If you still manage to get a cold there are a number of things you can do to treat the symptoms. Some of these include:

Chesty cough – try an expectorant cough bottle e.g. something containing guaifenesin

Dry cough – a cough suppressant e.g. pholcodine, is usually effective

Stuffy, congested nose – try a decongestant tablet containing pseudoephedrine or a nasal spray containing xylometazoline

Aches and pains – paracetamol is effective for treating aches and pains and reducing temperature. Ibuprofen is good for any inflammatory or muscular pain.

Many of the over-the-counter pharmacy medicines used to treat cold and flu symptoms are not suitable for those people with medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure so always ask your pharmacist for advice if you are taking other medications.