Colds and Flu

• Wash Up!: A cold is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. These viruses are spread by human contact. Thomas Gossel, Ph.D, a professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences at Ohio Northern University says that washing your hands for 1-2 minutes helps remove many of the 200 or so viruses that can cause a cold.
• Bundle Up!: When you go outside make sure that you stay warm and dry, because if you get cold or wet you are lowering your resistance by raising your stress level.
• Take you Vitamins: It is important to take your vitamins daily especially vitamin A and C. These vitamins help to activate the infection-fighting white blood cells and will boost you immunity. They are also said to protect against respiratory ailments.
• Humidify the Air: Indoor air is very dry especially in the winter. This lack of humidity is a great breeding place for cold viruses. You can add moisture to the air just by leaving the bathroom door open when you take a shower, get some house plant(they add moisture) and keep open pots of water around the house.
• Get Vaccinated: If you are elderly or have asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, cystic fibrosis or any illness that involves the lungs speak to you doctor about getting a flu shot.
• Drink Water: Drinking water helps replace fluids that you lose when you have a fever. Soup is also good, because it will help store you needed nutrients.
• Sip on hot liquids: Drinking hot liquids will raise the temperature of the throat, which slows the viral reproduction.