Being proactive for cold and flu season this fall 2017
We are in the beginning days of fall, the weather in south Michigagn has rapidly changed from hot to quite chilly! The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to change and we can enjoy cool nights outside by the fire with the kids and their marshmallow sticks.Oh how I love the fall! Everything about it puts a smile on my face. I enjoy getting out sweaters and all those comfy blankets that have been tucked away all summer long, and the view throughout my home town of pumpkins and mums on the porches of neighbors gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Yep for me it's the most beautiful time of the year.
The one and only downfall to fall is that while the weather is cooling down the potential risk for colds and cootie bugs is going up. Yes we are all well aware of cold and flu season and we work very hard to keep from getting sick and to prevent as best we can our children from getting sick, but every year like clockwork it rears it's ugly head right back around and someone if not everyone gets it.
We get all kinds of different strains, bacterial, viral, some are mild, some are super monster bugs! Whatever kind you get, none of them are any fun! It gets tougher and tougher to protect ourselves, but certainly staying educated and proactive will always contribute well to the battle. So here is some information that I gathered to share with my family and with you guys to prepare for 2017's cold and flu season.
The number one way to prevent according to the CDC (center for disease control) is the much debated Flu Shot. Here are some facts that I found that you might be interested in knowing to help you decide if the seasonal flu shot is right for you and your family.
Ten way's to help prevent the common cold and flu this year
The Flu Shot Everyone 6 month's of age and older are recommended to get a Flu shot once a year as the first and most important step against preventing the flu.
Echinacea Comes in many forms but many drink it in the form of a tea. A cup of this tea a day during cold and flu season will help you in prevention.
Stay Away Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Hand Washing Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash with friction. If soap and water aren't available use an alcohol rub that contain's at least 60% alcohol
Cover Your Mouth Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze. Studies have shown that flu virus particles from exhaling when you are sick can travel 6 feet in the air around you.
Wear a Mask Consider wearing a mask, there is little data to show just how effective it is, however there where several studies that concluded that wearing a mask along with regular hand washing was more effective in preventing the spread of influenza outbreaks.
Get Enough Rest Our bodies are at higher risk when we wear ourselves out. Make sure that your getting enough sleep.
Put Away Your Cloth Purse For Winter That's right, apparently our purses pick up just as many germs as we do! Carry one in the winter months that's can be wiped down like leather or vinyl.
Smile Research shows that happiness is another key to a healthy lifestyle. We are less likely to get sick when we feel good about ourselves.
Quit Smoking Now I know how difficult this one can be, here are some links you may want to look into CDC (link) Smokefree.gov (link) Quit tabbaco use now (link)
Keep your home and business clean and disinfected If you have a large family create a cleaning chart that everyone can get familiar with. Give everyone a list of chores to tackle and make sure you follow through with making them all follow through. Check out Pinterest for all kinds of chore ideas.
Work out It seems there is not enough time in the day already but taking even 30 mins can increase your health, strengthen your heart also help aide in the prevention of sickness. Find an good friend to work out with you and you'll see the benefits before you know you know it!
When All Else Fails
Now that we have shown ten ways to help prevent the common cold and the flu, let's talk about a few things you can do when your prevention methods just aren't enough...
Get plenty of rest. Keep yourself, or your children home, It may not seem feasible for you to call out from work, but you are sick and highly contagious. The more you avoid the rest your body needs, the longer you will be sick and the odds of you spreading it to others is definite. So be sure to get plenty of rest.
Drink drink and then drink some more. When you drink a lot of fluids it keeps your respiratory system hydrated and makes that thick mucus thinner so you can cough it up or spit it out.
Take over the counter cold and flu medications As needed or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. There are some medications now that will not only help your symptoms, but shorten the lifespan of the sickness itself.
Ginger Tea Ginger tea is great for your immune system. It also helps aide a belly ache.
Vitamin C Is good in preventing a cold as well as helping fight it off faster.
Soar throat? Gargle warm salt water hourly as often as you can, the salt actually pulls the water out of your throat tissue and reduces the swelling. Chamomile tea, chamomile tea has been used for centuries and is a daisy like plant that most know when used in teas but it fights infection and also reduces pain while assisting in a restful nights sleep. Peppermint tea, Peppermint tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds and is extremely soothing to the throat. The mint may also slightly numb your throat, thereby relieving pain. Throat Lozenges, Apple cider vinegar (Apple cider vinegar is a natural health tonic that's been used in folk medicine remedies for centuries. Its main active ingredient, acetic acid, helps fight bacteria.The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, even prescribed a combination of apple cider vinegar and honey - known as oxymel - to treat flu symptoms such as coughs and sore throats .To help relieve throat pain, drink 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and an optional tablespoon of honey. Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties and may help provide sore throat relief when consumed in small amounts with warm water.
Fever You can reduce your fever with Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Soup Chicken soup is easy on the belly when your sick and is also another way to help your body stay hydrated.
Echinacea Can be used to help prevent colds and flu's but also can be used at the first signs and symptoms to decrease the length of time you are sick. Now that we have discussed the ways of preventing colds and flu's alike, we can focus on the important parts of the season, like pumpkins, and cocoa, and everything that makes the fall so beautiful!
So from our home to your's, have a healthy and clean fall season! ~ Xtreme and Complete Cleaning Company :)