The weather changes from a warmer one to a much cooler one around the month of October. This also marks the start of the flu season. It should be noted that while both are similar, cold and flu are not the same thing. Both illnesses are viral and very contagious. A cold starts gradually, is often mild and can last for a long time. A flu on the other hand can be quite severe if left untreated and can last up to a week. Getting flu shots shorten the duration of the illness and it also provides relief to some of the symptoms.
In this article we will look at some of the best practices to adopt in order to keep your family safe and healthy in these cold months. If you need same-day family urgent care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Burlington today!
Tips on How To Prevent Cold and Flu
1. Wash your hands at all times: The first and most important way to ensure your family is safe from colds and flus is by keeping your hands clean. The best way to ensure your hand is free from the disease causing virus is by washing them with soap and clean water.
2. Avoid biting your fingernails: A very common bad habit found in society today is biting off one's nails. It doesn't matter how many times a day you wash your hands if you end up putting those hands in your mouth. We use our fingers to touch all sorts of surfaces, many of which can be carrying germs and viruses. By putting one's fingers in their mouth, they invite those harmful organisms directly into the body system.
3. Make use of hand sanitizers: If the pandemic taught us one thing, it's the importance of hand sanitizers. If there's no soap and water readily available you can make use of an alcohol based sanitizer. Alcohol based sanitizers have been proven by scientists to kill a larger variety of germs when compared to sanitizers without alcohol.
4. Take care of the laundry: It has been discovered that fabrics all over the house sometimes aid in the spread of the flu and other air borne illnesses. Beddings, clothes and even the kids' stuffed animals need to be washed in very hot water in order to kill any of the pathogens they might be harboring.
5. Get you and your family flu shots: Getting your family immunized will ensure they never have to suffer this disease. Unfortunately the virus modifies itself with time so the whole family will need to get a boost shot every year. Very young children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system should ensure they are the first in line for vaccine shots.
How to Treat A Cold and Flu
Aside from getting a vaccine, you and your family still have a chance of getting the flu. This isn't the end of the world however as there are some remedies and treatments that are sure to have you on your feet in no time.
1. Stay hydrated: Drinking water, juice or even warm water mixed with honey. This will help prevent dehydration and it also helps to clear congestion in the throat, nose and chest.
2. Get a humidifier: It is very important to keep the air in your home moist and a humidifier does just that. More moisture in the air helps ease congestion. Make sure to swap out the water in the humidifier as frequently as required to avoid it getting damaged.
3. Use medication: There are some very good drugs that can help both adults and children combat the symptoms of a cold and flu. Using antihistamines and painkillers will help provide quick relief. It is important to only take these medications as prescribed by a physician, never self medicate.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington for Family Care
As discussed earlier, colds and flus have their season. By following the tips in the article you can adequately protect you and your family from these pesky diseases. If symptoms persist even after treatment then it’s a good idea to seek medical care. AFC Urgent Care Burlington is open seven days a week and provides family care services on a walk-in basis.
