EMILY
09-02-08, 09:44 PM
http://www.vicks.com/images/8.0_Cold_Flu/8.0_image.gif
Introduction
With the cold and flu season upon us, many people will lose time off work or school this year due to that nasty winter cold bug that literally spreads like wildfire. The cold virus takes no prisoners as it infects both adults and children alike in all age groups.
A cold is commonly caused by a very prolific infectious agent known as the Rhinovirus. It enters the body through the respiratory tract. It is spread through direct person to person contact or through fomites. According to Wikipedia, a fomite is "any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms (such as germs or parasites) and hence transferring them from one individual to another". For example, if I have an existing cold, and I sneeze onto my hand, and then I touch a surface like a doorknob or a toilet handle, I have now transferred particles of my virus onto these surfaces. Subsequently, the next person comes along and touches the same surface, puts their newly infected hand up to their nose or mouth, and most likely, they have now contracted my virus through their respiratory tract. The same scenario applies with person to person contact. If I wipe my runny nose with my hand and then shake yours, you put your hand up to your nose to wipe it (hopefully not pick it), and whoola, you have now unsuspectingly caught my cold!
It sounds virtually impossible to prevent, but there are actually a few simple, basic precautions that you can take each day to help you avoid the common cold and other infectious diseases and keep you and your family healthy.
.................................................. ..................................
Things You'll Need :
Sink and Warm Water
Hand Sanitizer
Soap (Antibacterial or Regular)
Desire to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Hand washing
The #1 defense against the common cold is HANDWASHING! Yes, that's right folks, you can avoid many illnesses and infections from following this simple first step. This means, washing your hands frequently everywhere you go throughout your day and even at home.
For hand washing to be effective, however, you must wash the hands for the required amount of time. Do not cut yourself short on this step or it will not provide you with adequate protection.
Using warm water, lather your hands with soap for at least a FULL 15-20 seconds using a brisk, back and forth friction motion. You can use either regular soap or antibacterial soap. Antibacterial soap, according to the Mayo Clinic, is no more effective than regular soap in protecting against germs. It is the mechanism of hand washing that actually kills viruses on the hands. This is why it is so important to wash them correctly and for the entire 15-20 seconds. Make sure to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your nails and your wrists. Rinse well and then pat dry with a paper towel. Use the paper towel to turn the faucet off and open the door to the restroom before you discard it. Remember, everyone else who has used the restroom has touched the water faucet, toilet handle, door handle and towel dispenser, etc. Once your hands are clean, you do not want to reinfect them with additional fomite contact.
Hand Hygiene
Carry an alcohol based hand sanitizer with you and when you cannot wash your hands properly, this will provide you with adequate protection against germs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends products that contain at least 60% alcohol. In order for this to be effective, you should apply 1/2 teaspoon to the palm of your hand. Rub all surfaces including the backs of your hands, between your fingers and your wrists and allow to dry. You may use this method whenever you are unable to wash your hands or between hand washings.
Watch Where You Sneeze
Have you ever seen someone sneeze into their hand and then reach out to shake someone's hand after they have just spread disgusting germs all over themselves? All I can say is eeeewwwwww, yuk! Stop sneezing into your hands and start sneezing into a tissue or your folded arm. If you choose the tissue method, be sure to discard safely and wash your hands immediately afterwards. If you choose the arm method, simply bring your arm up to your nose and mouth, bury your face into it and then sneeze. Chances are, people are not going to shake your arm and you don't use your arm to touch things, so you have a much lower chance of spreading your cold if you make this a habit. Advise your family to start practicing these methods as well and hopefully, you will all stay much healthier this cold season.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can help you stay free from illness and infection.
It is important to eat a balanced diet including foods from all food groups, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. You should have a combination of at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day for maximum health.
Drink alcohol in moderation only. Too much alcohol can actually help weaken your immune system, causing you to be more susceptible to colds.
Drink plenty of fluids. The average person is chronically dehydrated. Drinking 8 eight ounce glasses of water per day will help you maintain fluid balance and overall health.
Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 to 4 times per week. Regular exercise is beneficial for your health and will improve your mood as well.
Get plenty of rest. 8 hours a night if possible. Our bodies need rest for cell regeneration. If we are tired and rundown, we are more likely to catch a cold or other virus.
Don't smoke, especially when you have a cold. Smokers are more prone to respiratory infections and when they do catch cold, it lasts forever. If you do smoke, quit until your cold is completely gone, unless you like being sick for weeks at a time.
Reduce Stress. You are more likely to catch a cold if you are overstressed. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, as well as meditation or yoga.
Supplements can be taken to help boost your immune system, but it is still important to eat a healthy diet. Supplements that are excellent for maintaining immune health are:
Vitamin C
Zinc
Echinacea
Antioxidants
Garlic
Don't spread your virus to others - When you are sick, don't go to work or school. You just pass on your illness to others. As stated previously, sneeze into your arm instead of your hands and wash your hands frequently along with using your hand sanitizer in between hand washings.
Hand washing, hand hygiene and living a healthy lifestyle all play a role in keeping you virus free this winter. Keeping a positive attitude and being consistent will assist you in making these lifestyle changes thereby improving your overall health.
.................................................. ..................................
copied from eHOW (http://www.ehow.com/how_2179450_avoid-catching-cold.html)
.
Introduction
With the cold and flu season upon us, many people will lose time off work or school this year due to that nasty winter cold bug that literally spreads like wildfire. The cold virus takes no prisoners as it infects both adults and children alike in all age groups.
A cold is commonly caused by a very prolific infectious agent known as the Rhinovirus. It enters the body through the respiratory tract. It is spread through direct person to person contact or through fomites. According to Wikipedia, a fomite is "any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms (such as germs or parasites) and hence transferring them from one individual to another". For example, if I have an existing cold, and I sneeze onto my hand, and then I touch a surface like a doorknob or a toilet handle, I have now transferred particles of my virus onto these surfaces. Subsequently, the next person comes along and touches the same surface, puts their newly infected hand up to their nose or mouth, and most likely, they have now contracted my virus through their respiratory tract. The same scenario applies with person to person contact. If I wipe my runny nose with my hand and then shake yours, you put your hand up to your nose to wipe it (hopefully not pick it), and whoola, you have now unsuspectingly caught my cold!
It sounds virtually impossible to prevent, but there are actually a few simple, basic precautions that you can take each day to help you avoid the common cold and other infectious diseases and keep you and your family healthy.
.................................................. ..................................
Things You'll Need :
Sink and Warm Water
Hand Sanitizer
Soap (Antibacterial or Regular)
Desire to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Hand washing
The #1 defense against the common cold is HANDWASHING! Yes, that's right folks, you can avoid many illnesses and infections from following this simple first step. This means, washing your hands frequently everywhere you go throughout your day and even at home.
For hand washing to be effective, however, you must wash the hands for the required amount of time. Do not cut yourself short on this step or it will not provide you with adequate protection.
Using warm water, lather your hands with soap for at least a FULL 15-20 seconds using a brisk, back and forth friction motion. You can use either regular soap or antibacterial soap. Antibacterial soap, according to the Mayo Clinic, is no more effective than regular soap in protecting against germs. It is the mechanism of hand washing that actually kills viruses on the hands. This is why it is so important to wash them correctly and for the entire 15-20 seconds. Make sure to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your nails and your wrists. Rinse well and then pat dry with a paper towel. Use the paper towel to turn the faucet off and open the door to the restroom before you discard it. Remember, everyone else who has used the restroom has touched the water faucet, toilet handle, door handle and towel dispenser, etc. Once your hands are clean, you do not want to reinfect them with additional fomite contact.
Hand Hygiene
Carry an alcohol based hand sanitizer with you and when you cannot wash your hands properly, this will provide you with adequate protection against germs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends products that contain at least 60% alcohol. In order for this to be effective, you should apply 1/2 teaspoon to the palm of your hand. Rub all surfaces including the backs of your hands, between your fingers and your wrists and allow to dry. You may use this method whenever you are unable to wash your hands or between hand washings.
Watch Where You Sneeze
Have you ever seen someone sneeze into their hand and then reach out to shake someone's hand after they have just spread disgusting germs all over themselves? All I can say is eeeewwwwww, yuk! Stop sneezing into your hands and start sneezing into a tissue or your folded arm. If you choose the tissue method, be sure to discard safely and wash your hands immediately afterwards. If you choose the arm method, simply bring your arm up to your nose and mouth, bury your face into it and then sneeze. Chances are, people are not going to shake your arm and you don't use your arm to touch things, so you have a much lower chance of spreading your cold if you make this a habit. Advise your family to start practicing these methods as well and hopefully, you will all stay much healthier this cold season.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can help you stay free from illness and infection.
It is important to eat a balanced diet including foods from all food groups, including protein, carbohydrates, fats, dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. You should have a combination of at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day for maximum health.
Drink alcohol in moderation only. Too much alcohol can actually help weaken your immune system, causing you to be more susceptible to colds.
Drink plenty of fluids. The average person is chronically dehydrated. Drinking 8 eight ounce glasses of water per day will help you maintain fluid balance and overall health.
Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 to 4 times per week. Regular exercise is beneficial for your health and will improve your mood as well.
Get plenty of rest. 8 hours a night if possible. Our bodies need rest for cell regeneration. If we are tired and rundown, we are more likely to catch a cold or other virus.
Don't smoke, especially when you have a cold. Smokers are more prone to respiratory infections and when they do catch cold, it lasts forever. If you do smoke, quit until your cold is completely gone, unless you like being sick for weeks at a time.
Reduce Stress. You are more likely to catch a cold if you are overstressed. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, as well as meditation or yoga.
Supplements can be taken to help boost your immune system, but it is still important to eat a healthy diet. Supplements that are excellent for maintaining immune health are:
Vitamin C
Zinc
Echinacea
Antioxidants
Garlic
Don't spread your virus to others - When you are sick, don't go to work or school. You just pass on your illness to others. As stated previously, sneeze into your arm instead of your hands and wash your hands frequently along with using your hand sanitizer in between hand washings.
Hand washing, hand hygiene and living a healthy lifestyle all play a role in keeping you virus free this winter. Keeping a positive attitude and being consistent will assist you in making these lifestyle changes thereby improving your overall health.
.................................................. ..................................
copied from eHOW (http://www.ehow.com/how_2179450_avoid-catching-cold.html)
.