Winter Colds and Flu and How to Prevent Them
Working or studying with a runny or congested nose, sore throat, mild body pain, and a splitting headache is challenging for many. They usually occur during winter and always point toward a respiratory issue, such as the cold or the flu.
Moreover, by the time the symptoms start clearing up, the affected person can be left feeling highly exhausted. That’s why it’s important to learn ways to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Today, we’re discussing these winter colds and flu prevention methods.
Get The Flu Vaccine
Before anything else, it’s vital to get the flu vaccine to prevent winter colds and flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those above six months of age should get a flu shot every year. You can check with a medical professional to see if a vaccination is available. It’s also possible to get one from a pharmacy.
Get Your Dose of Vitamin D
There is enough research to confirm that individuals who don’t meet their vitamin D requirements are more at risk of contracting an upper respiratory infection. The biggest reason behind this is that the deficiency can cause the body’s immune system to weaken.
It’s why we recommend getting regular vitamin D checkups. This is especially true for individuals with darker skin tones. That’s because more melanin pigment in the epidermal layer can significantly curtail the skin’s ability to absorb vitamin D from sunlight.
The National Institute of Health recommends that adults should have 600 IUs of the vitamin every day. Most can get them from food sources such as beef liver, egg yolks, mushrooms, salmon, etc.
Get Medicines if You Catch a Cold or Flu
If you do contract the winter cold or flu, it’s imperative to get medicines to recover quickly. We have listed them below.
- Antihistamines like brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine.
- Nasal decongestants like oxymetazoline and phenylephrine.
- Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
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