Prepare for Cold and Flu Season
Yumei Lin, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Nutrilite Health Institute
Every year, it happens. People start sneezing, coughing, and complaining about sore throats. It's not just your imagination – colds happen more often during the winter, and flu season is usually from November to March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Causes Colds and the Flu?
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses. These viruses are spread from person to person, usually because of coughing or sneezing. These viruses are very contagious and spread quickly.
The good news is that most people recover from a cold and the flu in a week or two. The bad news is that these viruses wear down your body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to bacterial infections and other diseases. In some cases, severe flu complications can lead to death – especially in older people, young children, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Cold and Flu Symptoms
Everyone will have different cold and flu symptoms. Common symptoms include:
Research Scientist, Nutrilite Health Institute
Every year, it happens. People start sneezing, coughing, and complaining about sore throats. It's not just your imagination – colds happen more often during the winter, and flu season is usually from November to March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Causes Colds and the Flu?
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses. These viruses are spread from person to person, usually because of coughing or sneezing. These viruses are very contagious and spread quickly.
The good news is that most people recover from a cold and the flu in a week or two. The bad news is that these viruses wear down your body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to bacterial infections and other diseases. In some cases, severe flu complications can lead to death – especially in older people, young children, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Cold and Flu Symptoms
Everyone will have different cold and flu symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Fever (usually high).
- Headache.
- Tiredness (can be extreme).
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Body aches.
- Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults).
How Can I Prevent Colds and the Flu?
Get a flu shot. A flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. Get a shot every year in September or as soon as the vaccine is available. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you fit into one of the following categories, consult with your doctor before getting a flu shot:
Get a flu shot. A flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. Get a shot every year in September or as soon as the vaccine is available. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you fit into one of the following categories, consult with your doctor before getting a flu shot:
- Have a severe allergy to eggs.
- Have had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the past.
- Have Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
- Had a flu shot within the past six weeks.
- Are less than six months old.
- Have a moderate or severe illness with fever.
Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest. If you have a stronger immune system, you have a better chance of fighting off cold and flu viruses. Eating nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep will help boost your immune system.
Maintain good health habits. Cold and flu viruses spread through the air. Good health habits can help reduce your chances of getting a cold or the flu. These habits include:
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
- Stay home when you are sick.
Improve your cold and flu knowledge. The more you know about colds and the flu, the better you can protect yourself. Learn more about these viruses on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov, and take the CDC “Flu IQ Test” at www.cdc.gov/widgets
Yumei Lin, Ph.D.Research Scientist, Nutrilite Health Institute
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