Cold and Flu Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Cold & Flu Prevention

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There’s nothing fun or exciting about fighting a cold or flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu causes more than 20 million illnesses annually in the United States alone. Flu symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and body aches, can be mild or severe.

Prevention is one of the most imperative keys to combatting the threat of colds and flu. Getting an annual flu shot before the flu season get started can go a long way in providing protection for you and your family. You may still get the flu, but if you had the vaccine it can potentially be less severe. Antiviral medications also lower your odds of passing the flu to others.

Studies have shown that prescription anti-viral medications, such as Tamiflu(oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza(zanamivir), can also help prevent the flu if you’re aware of an outbreak in your area. Taking an antiviral or one of the newer anti-flu medication, Xofluza(baloxavir marboxil) within 24 hours of the first signs of flu symptoms can shorten the length of your illness.

The U.S. flu season is just beginning and can last through May. According to the CDC, the peak infections generally hit the U.S. between December and February, Keep reading to find out what the experts advise as the most effective ways to combat colds and viruses year as well as naturally boost your immunity.

*Experts advise checking with your doctor or pharmacist before trying natural methods as they may adversely interact with other medication.

Prevention

Here are some effective ways to get the jump on viruses.

1. Wash your hands often.  Practicing good hand hygiene by regularly washing hands with soap and water is an essential tool in cold and flu prevention.
2. Take your elderberry. According to the experts, compounds from elderberries can inhibit the virus’s entry into your body. Studies have proven that elderberry supplements are a potent virus buster due to its powerful antiviral effect against the flu virus. 
3. Keep your distance from anyone demonstrating cold/flu symptoms or not. Surprisingly, researchers have found that people with the flu could spread the flu by merely exhaling. Steering clear of close talkers as well as making sure to give others adequate personal space during peak cold and flu seasons can help prevent spread of germs. Viruses can land on doorknobs, keyboards, phones and other areas for as long as a week, though they commonly don’t last for more than 24 hours. A cold or flu can be transmitted  for as long as symptoms linger. As an added precaution, it might be helpful to keep your alcohol-based hand sanitizer close by.
4. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. All of which are a direct pathway to your respiratory system.  For added insurance, wipe down surfaces with disinfectant to kill viruses before they have a chance to sneak their way to your respiratory tract.
5. Get your sleep. Lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to getting sick. Sleep allows your immune system to release proteins called cytokines which help ward off infections.
6. Move your body. Exercise is not known to prevent viruses, but it has been proven to help you stay healthy. Regular exercise supports good circulation, which helps transport immunity building cells throughout your body.
7. Watch your stress. Researchers are increasingly finding proof that stress lowers the body’s levels of white blood cells, which are also known as “infection fighters”. This in turn can makes you more likely to get sick.
8. Take your vitamins and eat healthy. According to experts, a healthy, well-balanced diet plays an integral part in keeping your immune system healthy. Vitamin C, and echinacea may not stop a cold, but research has proven they can boost your defenses and help to tackle symptoms, which will help to chase a virus away more quickly.
9. Take a trip to the sauna. One study showed, adults who went to a sauna at least twice a week caught half as many colds as those who didn’t. It’s not certain why saunas help as a preventive measure. Researchers believe it may have something to do with a boost in white blood cell count.

Not feeling well. Fight back ASAP!

1. The quicker you get started with treatment, the less intense and shorter your virus is likely to be. Get tested for the flu as soon as you feel symptoms. Flu symptoms typically show up within 1-4 days of catching the virus.
2. If your physician determines you have the flu, he will more than likely prescribe an antiviral medication. Their top job is to block the enzymes that allow the virus to move from one cell to another. Studies have proven that by taking antiviral medication within two days of getting sick can greatly reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Image by WebMD

Different Flu Types

Here are the top three strains of flu that affect people.

Influenza A is constantly changing and has many subtypes, including H3N2. It commonly causes the most intense symptoms and often leads to major outbreaks. Surprisingly, it can also be spread by animals, which include wild birds. The avian flu is a strain of A.

Influenza B primarily infects humans and tends to be milder than A.

Influenza C also strictly infects humans, but tends to not be as severe as A and B, and is not known to lead to epidemics.

Image by Fitness Galore

Natural Remedies to the Rescue!

1. Breathe easy. Rub a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and lemon verbena and coconut oil or Shea butter on your to help clear breathing.
2. Sore throat relief. Steep 1 teaspoon of ground sage, echinacea and lemon verbena in half a cup of hot water for 30 minutes. Once cool, pour into a spray bottle and spray into throat every 2 hours or as needed.
3. Bananas and rice to soothe an upset stomach and curb
4. Gargling with green tea has been proven to lower flu risk. Green tea has catechins, which is a type of antioxidant that’s proven to help prevent infection.
5. Blueberries curb diarrhea and are high in natural aspirin, which may lower fevers and help with aches and pains.
6. Zinc may help boost immunity, which can shorten the duration or severity of the flu. According to recent studies, zinc lozenges or syrup have proven to reduce the length of a cold by days, especially when it’s taken 24 hours of the first symptoms of a virus.
7. Stay hydrated. Dehydration delays your recovery by immobilizing traveling immune system soldiers that help combat invading viruses.
8. Dice some garlic. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties. Consuming fresh garlic – whether through chopping, mincing, or by chomping down on a clove with your teeth – causes a chemical reaction that releases allicin. Allicin is well known as a powerful antibacterial, which is only present shortly after garlic is crushed and before it is heated!  For colds and flus, it also provides decongestant and expectorant effects. Some experts even recommend eating a clove or two every 3 to 4 hours until the bug is entirely knocked out! Garlic supplements are said to work well,too.
9. Sip on flu fighting soups and juices.  Check out these soothing soup and juice solutions.

Difference Between a Cold and Flu

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