Cold and Flu: Do's and Dont's

Colds and the flu are caused by viruses that spread from person to person.

Try these simple steps to help keep you and your family healthier:

To Prevent Cold and Flu

DO

• Exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods and get enough sleep.
• Wash your hands often, especially during the peak cold and flu seasons (late winter and early spring). You can pick up a cold from a handshake, the telephone - even money.

DON’T

• Touch your eyes, nose and mouth excessively.
• Share cups, glasses or utensils among family members, especially during peak cold and flu seasons.

To Relieve Cold and Flu Symptoms

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get adequate rest in a well-ventilated room.
• Use a vaporizer to increase the humidity in the air -- this will help loosen mucus and relieve a dry throat (be sure to clean the vaporizer after each use).
• Cover your nose and mouth with your arm (not hands) while coughing or sneezing; wash your hands frequently to avoid the spread of germs.
• Use paper tissues that you can toss after use instead of cloth handkerchiefs to avoid giving the virus to others.
• Consult a healthcare professional for additional information.

Want More Tips?

• FLU.gov:

  Information from the U.S. government for seasonal, H1N1, avian and pandemic flu.

http://www.flu.gov/

• CDC:

  Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the flu.

http://ww.cdc.gov/flu

• Medline Plus:

  Information for the flu from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/flu.html