Not only coronavirus: how not to get colds and flu this fall
'02.09.2021'
Source: RBC Style
RBC Style collected the main methods of confronting colds and viruses, the prevention of which is much more practical than the treatment itself.
Avoid crowds
You don't have to turn into a hermit, only take a taxi to work and go to the store exclusively at night. But when possible, plan your activities so as not to get into rush hour. The fact is that the causative agents of influenza and colds quickly multiply their strength and spread among a large number of people. If you often have to be among many people in an enclosed space, try not to touch your nose, lips and eyes: these are parts of the face that bacteria attack the most.
Wash your hands
The main way to combat the spread of bacteria and viruses is to follow simple rules of hygiene. SARS and flu remain and multiply on household items in public places, so it is especially important to wash your hands immediately after you come home. If you decide to have a snack on the go and there is no way to wash your hands, a sanitizer is suitable, which is convenient to carry in your bag.
Sneeze into the elbow
One of the hygiene rules, which it is time to give up, is to cover your mouth with your hand when sneezing. It is best to sneeze into a napkin, but if you don't have a handkerchief at hand, you can do it in the fold of your elbow. So bacteria and viruses will not get on your hands and will not scatter around the room provoking a decrease in the immunity of colleagues or bus passengers. This will reduce the risk of infection of others, although it will not save you from the onset of the disease. Be sure to throw away the used tissue and wash your hands afterwards.
Be careful with the sick
If you have a desire to visit a friend who has a cold, take a medical mask with you. It is advisable not to stay on a visit to the patient - you should quickly go out into the fresh air, where viruses are much less likely to infect the body. Do not forget about the rules of hygiene, because after contact with an infected person, this is especially important.
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Ventilate the room
Disinfecting wet wipes can be used to wipe the work table and surrounding objects. Flu and cold viruses are literally in the air, so it is necessary to ventilate the room. In this case, it is better to leave the room so as not to sit in a draft and not overcool.
Humidify the air
Frosty air does not add moisture to the room, it only refreshes and cools it. Due to heating, the air in the room becomes dry and irritates the mucous membranes. A humidifier and water spraying from a spray bottle will help solve the problem. Please note that without ventilating a warm room in which carriers of the common cold may be located, viruses develop even faster, so humidification and ventilation should be organized alternately.
Strengthen immunity
The main way to fight ARVI and influenza is to make the body resistant to them. Strength for immunity must be drawn from good rest, a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Diversify your diet with vegetables and fruits. By agreement with your doctor, you can add vitamin complexes. Get enough sleep, schedule aerobic activity, and limit your alcohol intake.
Get vaccinated
Modern vaccinations develop immunity against the disease, so consult a physician about a possible vaccination. There are several types and subspecies of influenza, and vaccines contain their most common variants, therefore significantly reducing the risk of infection with viruses that are common this season.
Try not to get nervous
Research by Dr. Dilwar Hussein of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati confirms that psychological stress suppresses body functions and can cause disease and lower immunity. An increase in the level of the hormone cortisol is harmful not only for physical well-being, but also for beauty: it causes flaking of the skin, makes hair dull and promotes acne.
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Give yourself some rest at the first symptoms.
According to WHO, influenza manifests itself suddenly and with acute symptoms: joint, head and muscle pain, cough, high fever. Getting back on its feet quickly will not work - the body needs proper rest and recovery. But some people prefer to carry colds on their feet, because a mild runny nose, a slight fever or a cough does not greatly interfere with daily activities. This is not true! Firstly, going to work with such symptoms, you aggravate the course of the disease and provoke complications. Secondly, you put others at risk, thus increasing the development of the virus in the external environment. Stay at home and see your doctor if you experience this kind of ailment.
Eliminate alcohol
New research shows that drinking alcohol can damage the body's dendritic cells, a vital component of the immune system. Increasing alcohol consumption over time can increase a person's susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. The study, published in the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, compared the responses of dendritic cells and the immune system in mice that received alcohol with a second group of rodents that did not. The immunity of the test subjects in the first group was significantly lower. Doctors believe this explains why vaccines are less effective for people with alcohol dependence.
There are actually few preventive measures. But they are all quite simple and can become part of daily household rituals. To reduce the risk of infection, it is enough to observe basic hygiene standards, eat right, protect yourself by limiting yourself from contact with patients and overwork. Add vitamin-rich dishes to the menu, do wet cleaning and do not be afraid to ventilate the room, even if the air is already cool. You can get vaccinated to keep yourself safe from the flu.
The material is published for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and does not replace medical advice. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for any diagnosis made by the reader based on the site's materials, as well as for the consequences of self-medication, and may not share the point of view of the author or expert.
