Cold & Flu Tips

[BudgetLoving]

I just wiped down my desk because a co-worker started sniffling... I take public transportation and live in a major metro area so I'm trying to be as safe as possible. But I'm not a fanatic about washing my hands a lot or antibacterial products.

Someone gave me a tip once: don't touch your face if you've been on the train/ metro for a while. I think it's a good one, esp since I'm sure I do that. Anyone else have good tips to avoid the cold & flu? I found some more on this site (coldandflutips.com) but would love to know what y'all do.

[shoiji]

I take the bus also. And was on it today after being at the doctors office. Needless to say I was around people sneezing and coughing. YUCK!!!!

I try not to touch my face when I am out. If I need to wipe my eyes or mouth I will use my cloth handkerchef. When I come home after being outside the first thing I do is wash my hands. I do carry a small bottle of antibacterial lotion just in case I need it. I am trying to avoid as much antibacterial stuff as possible.

I keep small pieces of fresh ginger in the freezer. When I feel like I am getting sick or need to boost my immunity I make a pot of ginger tea. It really seems to help alot. Also like to eat yogurt and honey or miso soup to help with the immunity.

I am taking more steps as far as washing hands. Or if someone sneezes near me (and doesn't cover their mouth) I will try not to take a deep breath right away.

So far it is working. I dread getting the flu and did get the regular flu shot.

[StaceyS]

..

Someone gave me a tip once: don't touch your face if you've been on the train/ metro for a while. I think it's a good one, esp since I'm sure I do that. Anyone else have good tips to avoid the cold & flu? I found some more on this site (coldandflutips.com) but would love to know what y'all do.

That is the best tip! I catch myself all the time rubbing my eyes, and think - dummie, you're gonna get sick! Luckily, I wash my hands very frequently LOL.

[Libby]

I agree - stay away from those that are sick if possible. Wash your hands often and try not to touch your face. Get plenty of rest & keep hydrated as well so your body is ready to fight when it needs to.

I also try to eat a rainbow of fruits and veggies at this time of year focusing on the orange group - carrots/squash/pumpkin/sweet potatoes and red peppers (which have 3 x the Vit C vs 1 orange). Nothing says lovin' like a wickedly colourful stir fry with a lot of garlic and ginger to boot! Yum!

[Contrary Housewife]

Libby has it. The standard routine is keep your hands off your face, wash/sanitize before eating, eat right (a vitamin is no substitute) and get plenty of sleep. Also dress appropriate for the weather and keep your stress levels low.

[Trishagirl]

I drink Green tea w/honey it's good for your immune system. I also take daily multi-vitamin and vit D 2000mg cause I live in the northern hemisphere and don't get much sunlight and it good for battling the flu. I heard if you get sick put peroxide in your ears and it will get rid of the cold and Dr. Mercola says it works too!

[BudgetLoving]

The site I referenced above says that:
- "Kleenex® Anti-Viral Tissue kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses* in the tissue within 15 minutes."
and
- "Kleenex Anti-Viral tissue has demonstrated efficacy in tests using a different Influenza A H1N1 strain. The product has not been tested specifically against the H1N1 virus strain(s) currently spreading in the population."

So if you have a cold or flu bug, use those tissues and your virus may not spread as much- that's pretty cool. But it hasn't been tested against H1N1, so still practice good health by washing hands, etc etc. Good info.

[Libby]

The site I referenced above says that:
- "Kleenex® Anti-Viral Tissue kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses* in the tissue within 15 minutes."
and
- "Kleenex Anti-Viral tissue has demonstrated efficacy in tests using a different Influenza A H1N1 strain. The product has not been tested specifically against the H1N1 virus strain(s) currently spreading in the population."

So if you have a cold or flu bug, use those tissues and your virus may not spread as much- that's pretty cool. But it hasn't been tested against H1N1, so still practice good health by washing hands, etc etc. Good info.

The problem with this type of tissue....when I'm sick with cold/flu my eyes tend to water, therefore I wipe my eyes with the tissue b/c thats what I've learned to do vs using my germy hands. Guess what...those tissues BURN like a mofo! I'd rather have shampoo in my eye or something - it was so painful I'd rather have one box of tissues vs two plus those tissues cost a pretty penny. BF got a bit upset at me (but forgave me b/c I was sick) for using up the whole jumbo box within 2 days lol.

I still prefer washing my hands often and trying not to touch my face if possible.

[BudgetLoving]

Hey Libby - I'm sick now too BF kept telling me to stop coughing and I was so afraid I was going to get him sick. I think in cases like these, the anti-viral kleenex tissues help because it helps keeps others you have close contact with from being sick. However I don't use it to wipe my eyes, so I have never had that problem.

[lottaLove]

These are the things I do:
- wash hands often, if I can't wash, use antibacterial lotion
- wash bedding often
- don't touch face
- bandage up all cuts or scrapes
- wash my winter coat often (I take public transpo, and have a paranoia that when I sit down on the bus any germs from the people who were there before me may stick to my clothing)
- wash all my produce as soon as I get home from grocery. Even things with peels, like oranges or bananas.

I don't know if any of this really helps, seems even if I never touch my face or eat something without washing it first I will get a cold at least once per year. At least doing it gives me peace of mind that I tried to keep the germs at bay.

[Libby]

Hey Libby - I'm sick now too BF kept telling me to stop coughing and I was so afraid I was going to get him sick. I think in cases like these, the anti-viral kleenex tissues help because it helps keeps others you have close contact with from being sick. However I don't use it to wipe my eyes, so I have never had that problem.

Awww feel better soon!

Tip - crack the window open to get fresh air circulating OR just open it for a good 2-5 minutes and then shut it - do this every few hours? I dont think germs like the cold and you feeling the fresh air may help you feel better as well.

[BudgetLoving]

Thanks Libby - I'm feeling a LOT better today. I cracked the window last night and didn't cough as much!