Cold and Flu Prevention Advice
It’s cold and flu season again and the viruses are doing the rounds. Cold and Flu are viruses transmitted via airborne particles. Whilst it is always important to take good care of yourself by leading a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and drinking plenty of warm drinks in the colder months, it is particularly important in the winter-time when it’s cold and flu season. Read on for further tips on prevention and some common myths regarding contracting these viruses.
Washing your hands
Cold and flu viruses can be passed through tiny droplets of mucus that are sneezed or coughed out into the air by an infected person, and breathed in by another person.If an infected person sneezes into their hand, and then touches an object (such as a door handle, lift button, stair rail) the virus is able to pass from the object to the next person who touches it. By using good hand washing techniques, it is possible to rid yourself of any viruses you've inadvertently picked up (see attached leaflet).
Avoid touching your nose and eyes
Cold and flu viruses are able to enter your body through the eyes and nose. If you have any infected droplets of the virus on your hands, and you then touch your eyes or nose, the virus will pass into your body. By refraining from touching your nose and eyes, it is possible to reduce your chances of catching the virus.
Vaccination
The flu vaccinecan prevent you from catching flu. The Occupational Health Service is offering Flu Vaccinations to UoP staff for £5. See Staff Essentials for information on how to pay and book. Alternatively you could contact the Practice Nurse at your GP surgery (it is recommended and is free on the NHS for the following groups of people;
· pregnant women
· children aged two and three
· children aged 2-18 with a long-term health condition
· adultsaged 65 or older
· peoplewith a serious medical condition e.g. asthma, diabetes
· healthcare workersor carers
(http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Fluandthefluvaccine.aspx)
Myths regarding avoiding colds and flu
Vitamin C and Echinacea
It is a common misconception that vitamin C can help to cure colds and flu and that echinacea can prevent the onset of them, but unfortunately this has not been scientifically proven.
Vitamin C taken on a daily basis may perhaps be effective in reducing the length and severity of a cold, but not the onset.
Echinacea is used in many herbal remedies that claim to protect against the cold virus by aiding the immune system. There have been several studies into echinacea’s effect, but no definitive results. A review of the studies showed that echinacea did not reduce the length of a cold when taken on its own.
Trials conducted involving echinacea showed that those taking echinacea, compared with those who didn’t take it were about 30% less likely to get a cold, but the studies had varying results and used different preparations of the plant.It’s not clear how the preparations used in the studies compare with the product on sale in shops.
Zinc
Studies have been conducted which support the idea that consuming lozenges, syrup or tabletscontaining zinc may reduce how long a cold lasts.
A review of studies in 2011 into whether zinc was effective against the cold virus found that taking zinc supplements within a day of the symptoms starting speeds up recovery and lessens the severity of the symptoms. However, zinc should not be used as a long term supplement because of potential side effects (vomiting and diarrhoea). Unfortunately more research is needed tofind outthe recommended dose.
Getting cold or wet
As cold and flu are viruses, being cold and wet can’t develop a cold, although if you are already carrying the virus in your nose, it might allow symptoms to develop.
A study at theCommon Cold Centre in Cardiff found that people who chilled their feet in cold water for 20 minutes were twice more likely to develop a coldas those who didn't chill their feet. This is perhaps down to the fact that some people carry cold viruses without having symptoms. Getting chilled causes blood vessels in the nose to constrict, affecting the defences in the nose and making iteasier for the virus to replicate. (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/subsites/cold/)
Try to really look after your health and wellbeing to avoid these viruses this winter.