Beating the Common Cold and Flu Virus (To Be Published)

Beating the Common Cold and Flu Virus

Cut your chances of catching it before it catches you.

Between November and March millions of us succumb to the flu and common cold viruses. Those who are most vulnerable and often struck the hardest are children and the elderly. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or formula from immunizing 100% against these viruses. Each season despite our best efforts, employers spend billions of dollars shelling out sick pay and over 200,000 of us end up in the hospital. These fierce bugs can be picked up anywhere – home, work, at the bank or grocery store and if your immune system isn’t up for the fight you can almost guarantee you’ll catch the latest and greatest version of the virus. With all this said, how do we protect ourselves and the ones we love? Here’s a list of tried and true, expert recommended ways to stay healthy during the flu and cold season as well as what to do once it hits.

Prevention is the Key
Take your best shot. A flu shot that is. A vaccination will you lower your chances of getting the virus significantly. In fact, a flu shot offers 70-90% protection against the bug. Studies have also shown that those who have been immunized and still catch the virus have much less severe cases than those who have not. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), adults older than 50 and children 6 months to 5 years are strongly recommended to have the vaccine because of their higher vulnerability. See your doctor to find out more.

Hand-to-hand combat.

Stock up on hand sanitizers. Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston studied 292 families for 5 months and found that families who carried hand sanitizers with them had 59% fewer cases of stomach bugs than non-users. To use your sanitizer correctly, squirt out enough gel into your hands so they still feel damp and rub them together for 10 to 15 seconds – just as if washing your hands. By using your sanitizer correctly and often (especially when out in public) you can reduce your exposure to germs.

Your pen is mightier than the rest.

As minor of a detail as it sounds – cold and flu germs are passed most often from hand-to-hand contact, so anything you can do to avoid touching objects that are frequently handled by the general public is going to cut your risk. Carry a few extra pens around with you everywhere you go and steer clear of using the community pen at the doctor’s office, bank, restaurant or wherever you may be.

Let it just wash over you.

Your mother knew what she was talking about when she told you to wash your hands constantly. Research has shown that by washing our hands at least five times a day you can significantly reduce your chances of illness. Experts agree that washing our hands often with soap and water is an easy and effective way to stay healthy year round.
Catch some zzzz’s. Lack of sleep is an invitation for the flu. If our body doesn’t get the rest it needs, our immune system wears down. If you’re too physically worn out, the flu shot and vitamins will not be as effective. In fact, researchers found that those who slept only 4 hours a night for 1 week produced only half the amount of antibodies (even with a flu shot) compared with those who slept 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours each night.

Friends don’t let friends get sick.

Yes, research has shown that having a good social network of friends makes you a healthier person all around. Don’t believe us? Carnegie Mellon doctors conducted a study involving 83 college freshmen, all given a flu shot. Those with a larger group of friends produced more bug-fighting antibodies while students who kept to themselves and reported being lonely actually produced lower amounts of anti-bodies.

One a day keeps the flu away.

Your basic multi-vitamin is also an effective weapon against the cold and flu. Often we are drawn to super concentrations of vitamins and herbs as well as airborne pills and other cold preventers but these really aren’t necessary. Look for a one-a-day multi with 100% of the recommended daily values of vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and D, as well as the minerals chromium, copper, folic acid, selenium, calcium, and zinc. Be sure to take your vitamin with a full glass of water and a meal that consists of a little fat so your body can absorb the nutrients better.

Let’s get physical.

Just 3 hours a day of moderate activity (walking, climbing stairs or tennis) will cut your chances of getting sick by 35%. Moderate activity not your thing? UCLA researchers also found that tai chi, the Chinese practice of slow movements, meditation, and breathing, decreases the release of catecholamine, a neurotransmitter that weakens the immune system. One study in particular showed that just three sessions a week for 4 months improved immune cell function by 45% in adults with shingles.

Coming to a town near you.

Keep up with the health of your community by watching the news or going to http://www.flustar.com/ and entering your zip code. Knowing if a flu outbreak is in your community or coming your way will be helpful in deciding whether to hit the movie theater or rent movies on the weekend. Taking extra precautions to avoid public places during an outbreak will reduce your chances of exposure.

Bitten by the bug?
Call in the reinforcements. If you start to feel the telltale aches and pains see your doctor and ask for an antiviral medication like Tamiflu or Relenza. Both of these medications are 60 to 90% effective as long as they are taken within 48 hours of exposure. Remember these medications are made specifically for the flu, so it’s important to see your doctor in person in order to let him diagnose you properly. This will help you avoid paying for medication that isn’t necessary and possibly experiencing side effects from medication you just don’t need.

On the brink? Take Zinc.

Zinc, if taken at first sign of the flu can help prevent or lessen the duration of your cold. This power-punching vitamin releases ions that stop the common cold virus from maturing and attaching to your airways. It’s most helpful if taken shortly after you suspect being exposed. Places where exposure is high (like on a plane) are instances when taking zinc is smart. Take either a zinc gluconate or zinc actate without flavoring agents like citric or tartaric acids because these appear to inhibit its preventive abilities.