Dealing with cold and flu - the dos and dont's

Dealing with Colds – The Do's and Don'ts

Colds and flu are extremely common. In fact, adults typically have 2 – 5 colds a year. So when it comes to treating your cold and flu symptoms, it's no surprise that everyone has a different remedy and opinion. This wealth of conflicting information and advice often makes it difficult to distinguish the myths from the facts.

Here are just a few simple Dos and Don'ts that may make your symptoms easier to live with, plus some of the pitfalls you may wish to avoid on the road to recovery.

What to do when you have a cold

Cold and flu are caused by viruses. When you become infected, your body starts to fight back and this defence mechanism leads to the familiar symptoms, such as a sore throat or a runny nose. Here are just a few of the ways you can help your body to fight off the virus.

1. Get plenty of sleep – rest allows your body to recover and helps you to get back to being fighting fit.

2. Eat a healthy diet – foods that are rich in nutrients may help your body to get over the virus sooner.

3. Drink plenty of fluids – water and juices help to replace the fluids you lose when you’re ill and prevent dehydration. However, try to avoid alcohol, as it can affect your sleep and may make dehydration worse.

4. Keep up the exercise – as long as you stay hydrated, gentle exercise may help you feel better and keep your spirits up.

5. Wash your hands – regular washing with soap and warm water can limit the spread of viruses, and may reduce your chances of catching another bout of cold or flu.

Please see your doctor if your symptoms persist.

What NOT to do when you have a cold

While cutting out alcohol and smoking makes perfect sense when you are ill, there are a number of other aspects of everyday life that could affect how long your cold or flu lasts. Where possible you should also avoid:

1. Overdoing it at the gym – while keeping active can help your body, working too hard can dehydrate you at a time when you need extra fluids. So listen to your body and if in doubt, take it easy for a few days.

2. Taking on more than you need to – high levels of stress can prevent your immune system from working normally. So don’t take on more than you’re comfortable with and when possible, take time out to relax.

3. Relying on your GP to prescribe antibiotics – antibiotics are not effective against cold and flu viruses. So if you’re unsure about any of your symptoms, please seek medical advice.

4. Sneezing into your hands – despite what you were taught at school, covering your mouth with your hand can increase the spread of infection. If you need to sneeze, sneeze into the crease of your elbow, or better still use a disposable tissue.

5. Feeding a cold and starving a fever – it’s important to remember that this old adage is a myth. When your body is working hard to help you recover, it needs all the help it can get. So it’s essential to eat regular nutritious meals, even if you’re not feeling particularly hungry.

By following this simple checklist, you may be able to stay on top of your symptoms and get your spark back.

Dealing with Colds – The Do's and Don'ts

What to do when you have a cold

What NOT to do when you have a cold

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