Before your know it, the winter season will be upon us. Many people will hit the ski slopes and ice skating rinks, go snowboarding or participate in holiday festivities. A lot of people will also be stocking up on cold and flu remedies. The flu and colds are more common in the winter months, but anyone can come down with flu or a cold at any time of the year.
According to a recent Yale News article, there are six steps you can take to keep you and your family healthy during the cold and flu season:
- Frequently Wash Your Hands. Washing your hands with an anti-bacterial soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help destroy viruses you contracted from touching surfaces used by other people.
- Eat Lots of Soup. Chicken soup has been touted as a common cold remedy for decades. Recent research has shown that chicken soup actually does help you recover from a cold and it helps prevent inflammation that causes throat pain. Hot soup also helps relieve nasal congestion.
- Don’t Share. Refrain from sharing food, beverages or personal items with other people during cold and flu season. Don’t even share personal space–keep a safe distance from other people during cold and flu season, especially if you or they are sick.
- Don’t Smoke. Cigarette smoke increases your susceptibility to colds and infection. Cigarette smoke also impairs the self-cleaning abilities of the nose and lungs.
- Take Vitamins C and D. Take vitamins C and D to boost your immunity during the cold and flu season.
- Take Quick Action. Starting taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and decongestants at the onset of the first signs of a cold or upper respiratory tract infection.
If your symptoms persist longer than normal for a common cold, or are reoccurring, call Atlanta ENT to schedule a consultation.
Ramie A. Tritt, M.D., President, Atlanta ENT
