Preventing Colds and Flu

Video: Preventing Colds and Flu

Honey And Vinegar For Preventing Colds

I take 1 Tbsp. of honey mixed with 1 Tbsp. of cider vinegar, each day. No, it doesn't taste good, but it is tolerable, and best of all, I don't get colds! Only once in 8 years have I had a cold. It was the two months I stayed with my daughter and neglected to continue with my home remedy.

I learned about this from a friend, who was a teacher of third grade children, and she never missed work from colds. As you know, teachers are targets for those pesky germs abundant in the classroom. Also years later, this teacher, who always had HER children take this home remedy, had a son that graduated from High School winning an award for never missing ONE day of school from Kindergarten to High School Graduation.

P.S. This teacher's father was a Pediatric Doctor!

By snooks from Lincoln, NE

Sanitize To Go Lids To Stay Healthy

By oSandi from Sherwood Park, Alberta

Avoiding the Flu and Winter Colds

By Sue from Norman, OK

Wash Hands to Stay Healthy

By Sharon from Coudersport, PA

Stay Healthy By Keeping Your Hands Clean

By Laurie from Portland, OR

Use Cold-Eze To Shorten Cold

By Darla from Grand Prairie, TX

Tips to Stay Flu Free

1. When you are in contact with someone and shake their hand, wash your hands.

2. Carry hand sanitizer in your purse to use as needed.
3. Try not to touch you nose or eyes, as this is where germs enter the body.
4. Use a purse made of material you can easily clean with a damp cloth. Every time you put your purse down you can pick up germs.
5. Stay away from sick friends and family.
6. Get enough rest, try for 8 hours.
7. Exercise every day, it builds your immune system.
8. Eat healthy foods, less processed more fresh.
9. Get your flu shot early in the season.
10. Do something that makes you smile on a daily basis.
11. Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow instead of your hands.

Source: My sister sent these tips to me today. She is a nurse and has already been treating flu patients.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

Preventing Colds

Save Money By Preventing Colds

We have all heard the basic common sense ways to avoid a cold, "wash your hands", "cover your mouth when you sneeze", and if your mom was like my mom, "don't go outside with wet hair" (although some medical experts argue against that one).

However, there are steps we can take to avoid getting the common cold and flu.

• Wash your hands. (Mom was right). Wash before you eat, after the restroom, after you enter "hot spots" such as hospitals, daycare centers, doctor offices, pharmacies, using a public phone, public bathroom, touching money, using a grocery cart. I am sure you can think of several more that you come into contact with. If you can't wash your hands, carry a small bottle of sanitizer with you to rub on your hands.
• Wipe down common use contact areas such as door knobs, telephone receivers, faucets, shared keyboards, remote controls, steering wheels (if you have a co-driver), mailbox handle. You don't need to carry around a bucket of bleach water, you can simply use a sanitizing wipe.
• Get plenty of sleep. Your body requires proper rest for all your systems to operate at their best,
• Eat well. What you eat is fuel for your body. Failure to eat properly will cause your immune system to suffer, You need a balanced diet including fruits and vegetables, protein (meats), grains... Notice this diet does not include chips, soda, or other junk foods. Feed your body junk food, and it will start to act like junk. Some studies indicate vitamin C supplements may also help.
• Avoid stress when you can. Stress can upset the balance of ones body. This in turn can cause foods to not digest properly and for the sleep cycle to be interrupted.
• Get exercise. I am not talking about the total body makeover. I am talking about walking to the mailbox or around the block. If you are new to exercise, see your physician before starting if it is going to consist of much more than walking.
• Get plenty of fresh air. Go outside several times a day. Walk on your breaks from work, go out to get the mail or to just stand on the porch for a few minutes several times a day. During the winter if you can not get out, open a window for a few minutes and let the air circulate.
• Change and clean areas where germs collect. One of the dirtiest places for germs to collect and breed is in your kitchen (you thought I was going to say bathroom, didn't you?). Wash your dishrags and sponges daily. Regular laundry detergent does not kill cold germs. The best way to clean your kitchen sponges is to zap them in the microwave for a minute after laundering. The heat will kill the germs. Change your toothbrush often, and after using pour a small amount of mouthwash or vinegar over it to kill germs. Baby toys may need be be wiped down, as well as the teething bar on their crib. While washing your dishes, add a small amount of bleach or vinegar to the water to disinfect. Change your furnace filters. Germs like to collect in them also. Many sources and TV ads tell you to use antibacterial soaps. However, I have heard several studies on TV and radio that are now saying some germs are becoming resistant to such soaps.
• Avoid your exposure to others when you are sick. Not only for the sake of others, but for yourself. Your immune system is already weak, so you are at an increase to pick up something else.
• Avoid being around those persons you know are sick if at all possible. If you must be around them, use good handwashing and keep your contact to the bare minimum that you can.

Oft Forgotten Germ Catcher