Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
The cold and flu can both leave you feeling miserable. There is no cure so the only course of action is to treat the symptoms once you develop them, but you can take these steps to prevent getting a cold or the flu.
- Flu shot
- Basic hygiene – wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
- Stay away from sick people
- Get plenty of rest
- Build the immune system with a healthy diet
- Exercise
Protect Yourself from Germs
Preventing colds and flu can be done by protecting yourself from germs. Staying away from sick people and frequent hand washing are two of the best ways to protect against germs. Using an alcohol based hand sanitizer in place of antibacterial soap will help prevent the spread of germs to other areas on the body such as the nose and mouth.
- Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door to public restrooms. Germs can live on surfaces for hours, and high traffic areas are vulnerable to thousands of them. When you turn the faucet on your hands are dirty, when you go to turn it off touching it will make your hands dirty again and cause you to pick up germs.
- If you are in close contact with a sick person, such as caring for them in your home, it is important to wash everything they have come in contact with such as pillows, sheets, etc.
Build Up the Immune System
The immune system fights germs and keeps you healthy when you have been exposed. Things such as being overly tired can make the immune system weak and cause difficulty fighting infections. Going to bed at the same time every night and having a set bedtime routine will keep you rested and strong.
Eating a healthy diet that is good for the heart and ensuring that you get adequate amounts of vitamin C will help to keep the immune system healthy. Including plenty of fruits and vegetables in the diet instead of processed foods will keep you in better health while fighting the onset of cold and flu. You should also exercise regularly even if it is simply going out and taking a walk.
Vaccinate Against the Flu
Regular visits to the doctor will ensure that everything possible is being done to protect your health. A flu shot is vital to the prevention of the flu, pregnant women and the elderly are at a higher risk making the vaccine even more important for them.
The lack of a cure for cold and flu makes prevention vital to remaining in good health. Smoking can irritate the nasal passages so quitting smoking and avoiding cigarette smoke if you are a non-smoker can help you to decrease the chances of getting sick.
When someone in the home is sick it is important to avoid the transfer of germs from one person to another. Using disposable items that can be thrown away and disinfecting surfaces can help to prevent the germs from spreading from one person to another.
Tammy Mahan has worked in the healthcare field for 20 years. She is also a freelance writer who shares articles with Healthline.com.
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Cold season is starting again. And I would definitely agree to everything you said there. Thanks for sharing, this helps a lot. 🙂
this is perfect!! been suffering from cold and flu for the last few weeks..
How can I stay away with sick people if those “sick people” happen to be my parents who I live with at home? Haha. Hard.
I have to agree with you. Good hygiene, building immunity and vaccines are the best way to prevent ourselves from getting sick.
Uso ngayon ang cold and flu thanks for sharing these tips it helps a lot.
Prevention is indeed always better than cure. Colds and flu are very common these days and they are easily transmitted from person to person. Hand washing is an effective way to break the chain of infection.
Nothing we can do about colds and flu, not even flu vaccine. Hey that’s only my opinion but as the old adage says’ Prevention is better than cure’ ..ha, ha,ha
I can’t remember when was the last time I had my flu shot. I think I was still little then. These are helpful most esp. to people here in the Philippines as the weather is becoming crazy.
This post reminds me – I need to get my flu shot in the next couple of weeks,
Proper hygiene and healthy diet is a must.
Got my flu shots last month. It’s still good idea to get protected.
Oh dear!!! flu, just crossing our finger that our immune system is strong enough to fight for this bacteria. Also eating or drinking Vit C would help it all.
I missed the flu vaccine during the first quarter of the year. Sayang! Kaya tuloy medyo masakitin ako ngayon.
Very apt for my current condition. I feel like having a flu and cold as an aftermath of my one week vacation. I need to get plenty of rest.
Thanks for these tips! Prevention is really better than cure. 🙂
You are right that there is no pinpoint cure considering that there are viral causes of it and that it can travel places without you knowing it right there and then. And you also right that the best treatment is prevention by building the best possible defense as you have enumerated here.
These tips are so helpful nowadays! I should bring a paper towel with me now huh! 😀
perfect tips especially that the rainy season is not yet over! just recovered from fever and flu 🙁
Just the perfect post to read that I’m having a bout with coughs and colds.
My youngest just recovered from colds and flu due to sudden change in weather here, from super hot we experienced previous days to cold rainy days. For adult and kiddies we should always see to it that our immune system is strong so we don’t get this sickness easily or we can easily recover from it, take the above listed advise and you’ll never go wrong.
Thanks for this. Nobody wants to catch a flue in this rainy season.
I don’t like shots so I don’t get the flu vaccine. It doesn’t guarantee anyway.
Wooow! This one’s really helpful! Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure! I am really grateful that you shared it with us, your readers! =)
Nice post
It is now flu season but I rather get flu than being vaccinated. A lot of people that I know of got sick as a dog after they got flu shots.
These are great tips for people who do not want to get sick. This is appropriate for Pinoys because it is rainy season now.
-Wanderer Juan
My mom used to tell me to get flu shots but I didn’t want to because I’m afraid of syringes. How long does the effect take anyway? If it’s only a year then I won’t be much convinced to go for it and just stay healthy – drink more water. 😀
building up your immune system is important. Especially we’re experiencing the cold season. Eventhough I usually sleep less, I take multivitamins to protect myself against flu and cold.
I am so conscious with regards to health of our family. and as the caregiver/Nurse of the family I constantly educate them on health promotion and disease prevention. Although sometimes some of them are too hard headed to follow my teachings, I would kept on insisting them that staying HEALTHY is so essential, especially that we have a kid in the house who is vulnerable to illnesses.
Aside from that, I also see to it that each would received flu vaccine each year for prevention.
I have never been injected a flu vaccine. Maybe it’s worth a try. Thanks for the tips! I found them very helpful.
I hate having a flu or anything that annoys the nose! lol, thanks for these tips, I usually just try to sleep early to prevent any kind of illness but that’s difficult to do as of late. 🙁
I agree with all these dear! And if you’re healthy you still need to exercise often to have healthy lifestyle! We all need this prevention sa nangyayari dito sa Zamboanga 🙁