Ten Tips to Avoid the Common Cold

'Tis the season - the cold and flu season, that is - something no-one likes to think about at Christmas time. With all the Christmas concerts, Christmas staff parties, family gatherings, and outdoor activities, let alone the throngs in the shopping malls, how can you possible avoid all those cold germs. Even simply attending your children's school concerts can expose you to a wealth of new germs and viruses.

With all the concerns about flu season, and antibiotic resistant flu types, how can we protect ourselves against illness, especially at this time of year. After all, we want to be able to fully enjoy all teh gatherings and the great food - particularly the great food.

In this day of new discoveries and wonder drugs, we have come to rely heavily on antibiotics to take care of every bug and germ that comes our way. while great strides in medicine now allow us to conquer many diseases, and live longer healthier lives, modern medicine still does not have all the answers.

In fact, over-reliance on antibiotics has led to the development of new, drug-resistant strains of old diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. These new strains are much harder to control and cure, requiring stronger, specialized drugs - drugs that used to be the last resort when all other drugs had failed. If doctors must now begin treatment with these last-resort drugs, what happens if these drugs prove to be not powerful enough to halt the disease? It's a concern to medical professionals the world over.

Some germs and viruses have been with us, it seems, since man first began naming the various ills and aches to which we are heir. We now have vaccines against certain strains of the flu, as well as many of the so-called childhood diseases, or diseases most children were expected to battle at some point in their childhood. Catching the measles or chicken pox used to be considered a natural part of growing up - most children survived, but some didn't.

In the days before routine vaccinations and such wide-spread reliance on antibiotics, we all were taught some basic strategies to prevent the spreading of diseases, such as the common cold, and the flu.

If you already have a cold, there are some steps you can take to avoid passing it on:

1. Wash your hands - more often just after using the bathroom, though that is a great place to start. The application of hot, soapy water to our hands after coughing and sneezing can help prevent the spread of cold germs more effectively than just the application of antibiotic hand cleaner.
2. Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. One of the mechanisms by which the common cold is spread, is by its host coughing and sneezing. A cough or sneeze expels moisture droplets over anything and anyone within range - moisture droplets laden with fresh virus, just waiting to infect a new host.
   
3. If at all possible, direct your cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm, rather than into your hand. this further impedes the spread of the cold virus, by keeping it off your hands.
   
4. Avoid shaking hands, especially if you've just used a handkerchief or tissue to blow your nose.
5. During the early stages of the cold, when you are sneezing a lot, you are at your most contagious. Stay at home if at all possible, to avoid infecting everyone at work. They may not appreciate the extra work load caused by your absence, but I guarantee they will appreciate not sharing your cold.

If you haven't succumbed to that nasty cold that's going around, here are some strategies to help keep you cold-free:

1. Take extra Vitamin C - there was a time in the 70s when extra Vitamin C was the answer to almost every medical ill. Hailed as the new wonder drug , Vitamin C was reputed to cure everything from the common cold to ingrown toenails. Unfortunately, some of these miracle cures did not pan out, and such extravagant claims unfortunately damaged the vitamin's reputation. Research has since shown that, in many cases, taking 1000 to 1200 milligrams of Vitamin C daily can drastically reduce the instance and severity of colds.
2. Echinacea has also shown promise when taken as an immune booster. Echinacea has the advantage of being an organic, natural remedy, as opposed to other synthetic over-the-counter preventatives.
3. Get plenty of rest. Just as a cold-sufferer has to take special care to recover from their cold, you have to take care of yourself to avoid catching one in the first place. Even in this most hectic and demanding season, try not to get too overextended. Be sensible about what your body can tolerate, and keep to a reasonably sensible bed-time. You need not eschew all late nights, but be aware that you are tiring, and take steps to get adequate rest.
4. In this festive time, hugs and kisses abound. Good fellowship is everywhere. Even strangers are greeted as friends. It's almost impossible to avoid shaking hands with friends and neighbors. If kisses are offered or expected, offer a cheek to cheek kiss rather than a kiss on the mouth - or offer a hug in place of the kiss. If you know someone has a cold or the sniffles, keep your hands in your pockets, and offer a cordial smile instead...and avoid the mistletoe.
5. Wash your hands. When using public washrooms at the mall or at your favorite restaurant, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. Then, grab a piece of paper towel to dry your hands, and use it to turn off the faucet. If there is no paper towel available, pull your sleeve down over your hand and then turn off the water taps. Remember, some folks forget to wash up after, or may have just coughed or sneezed before grabbing the door handle. Be smart - use a paper towel or your sleeve to open the door.
6. Drink plenty of fluids. The two biggest immune depressors in an otherwise healthy person, are becoming over-tired, and not staying properly hydrated. Herbal teas, fruit drinks, lots of good, fresh water, the occasional glass of beer or wine - all of these will help keep your fluid levels up, and your system perking along. Coffee is actually a diuretic, so too much coffee will simply leach even more fluids out of your system, so avoid drinking more than a few cups each day.
7. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. It's so easy to over-indulge in the rich treats and goodies that everyone seems intent on thrusting down our willing gullets during this party-plenty time. Unfortunately, over-indulging in rich foods, when we are unused to such goodies, however much we love them, can not only be hard on our waistlines, they can be hard on our general health. Eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, can seem boring at Christmas, but it one way we can keep our bodies on an even keel during this busy Christmas season.
8. Stay warm in cold weather. Make sure your boots are sufficient to keep your feet both warm and dry. Cold feet don't cause a cold, but having cold, wet feet can certainly make you uncomfortable and lower your resistance to any cold germs that might be lurking about. As well, we lose forty per cent of our body heat from our heads, so be sure to wear a warm hat or scarf if you are planning to be out of doors.
   
9. Dress in layers. It's just as dangerous to become over-heated in cold weather as it is to get too cold. Over-exertion and sweating in cold weather can lead to shivering and chills. Wearing several layers of clothing, as opposed to one very heavy layer, eliminates the weight of heavy clothing, and allows for the removal of excess layers if the temperatures become warmer than expected. As well, the layers trap air in between, adding even more layers of light-weight insulation .
10. Avoid touching your face. You will most likely come into contact with cold germs in spite of your best efforts. By keeping your own hands away from your face, you can minimize the possibility of transferring the germs to you. Rubbing your eyes, touching your mouth or nose - these are often reflex gestures or unconscious actions. Make a conscious effort to keep your hands off your face.

While not guaranteed to keep you completely cold-free this Christmas, these ten tips will go far to helping you stay healthy and able to enjoy your friends and family this festive season.

In spite of all your precautions, you caught a cold - or, more to the point, a cold caught up with you - now what? There are many over-the counter remedies available, but some of my favorite feel-better solutions are still the old tried and true remedies from my Grannie's day.

Here are five tips for taking care of your cold - or at least easing, and shortening your suffering:

1. Chicken Soup - I have an excellent recipe for Grannie's famous chicken soup, and always keep a supply on hand in the freezer. I also have several cans of plain, unseasoned chicken broth in the pantry cupboard, and these will certainly serve in a pinch.
2. Plenty of Fluids - This can include fruit juices, herbal teas, water, chicken broth, and any clear fluids. Avoid milk, or creamy drinks like hot chocolate as they tend to be phlegm producing.
3. Vitamin C - Load up on extra Vitamin C. Though many will argue that extra Vitamin C is of no use once a cold strikes, I have found it is not only a great cold-and-flu preventive, but it also helps your immune system recover more quickly.
4. Analgesics - In moderation, analgesics, or fever-reducing non-prescription drugs such as A.S.A. (acetylsalicylic acid , or Aspirin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), will help you feel better. Taken in moderation, they will help reduce the aches and fever that comes along with your cold. Read the instructions on the package, and follow them.
   
5. Rest - This is perhaps the most important, as well as the most neglected step in getting rid of a cold. It's so draining, but we seem to feel that we are required to just plug along and keep going to work. The healthy people at work wish you would just keep your germs to yourself, but sometimes this just isn't possible. 

You healthy folk need to read the beginning of this article . A cold will usually only last from 10 to 14 days, but if yours lasts longer, or your temperature does not respond to a simple analgesic, you should see your doctor, as you may have more than an normal cold.

© 2010 Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved

The information in this article in no way constitutes a medical opinion. It is solely the opinion of the writer, and should in no way be used as a diagnostic tool or as medical advice for any condition or ailment. You should consult your doctor before using any of the remedies or measures mentioned in this article.