Heading off colds and flu - Respiratory Diseases - guidelines - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Oct, 2002

"Despite what your grandmother told you, you can't catch a cold from cold weather," maintains Catharine Shaner, a pediatrician with the American Safety and Health Institute. "Rather, the cold weather keeps most of us indoors, allowing us to spread more germs to each other via close contact."

The low humidity of fall and winter permits more viruses to thrive, while nasal passages dry out, promoting a friendly environment for them. "Eighty percent of infectious disease is spread through direct contact, such as shaking hands, or indirect contact, such as touching an object, like an ATM machine, after someone who is sick. So, whether you suffer from a cold or flu this season largely depends on what or whom you touch."

Americans contract more than 1,000,000,000 colds each year, so those who don't take precautions are sure to suffer during the cold and flu season, usually December through March, but for children, it can start as soon as school is in session. Kids experience the most colds, almost eight each year, while adults contract two to four per year--more if they have offspring who carry germs home from school. Moreover, almost 100,000,000 Americans suffer from the flu each year. Experts say that as many as 40,000 people will die during a typical flu season, and more than 200,000 wind up being hospitalized because of complications from the flu.

Since it is easier to prevent an illness than to treat one, Shaner offers these tips to stay healthy:

* Wash your hands frequently. If you have a cold or flu, keep them clean to avoid spreading your germs to others.

* Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water and utilizing a humidifier at home and work. "This keeps nasal passages and other mucus membranes moist and less susceptible to any invading bacteria and viruses."

* Get a flu vaccine, particularly if you are older than 50 or take care of someone who is. The vaccine takes up to eight weeks to become effective.

* Don't touch. There are 200 different cold viruses, and they can remain on an object for up to six hours. "The sensible thing is to carry a portable disinfectant for use on surfaces outside of your home."

* Stay away from people who show signs of illness. "You might also want to avoid `sealing the deal' with a handshake during winter months, when people often use their hands as a shield for coughs and sneezes, passing along infection."

* If you must rub your nose, mouth, or eyes, use the back of your hand, not your palm or fingers.

* Stop biting your nails to help avoid putting contaminated fingers unconsciously into your mouth.