Fight back when cold and flu viruses attack

Every year at this time, cold and influenza (flu) viruses launch an all-out assault on millions of Americans, afflicting us with nasty symptoms: stuffy noses, sore throats, sneezing, coughing, fevers, body aches and pains. Even worse, colds can lead to sinus and ear infections, while serious complications like pneumonia can result from a battle with the flu.

Prevention is your best defense against cold and flu viruses, health experts say. But if you do get sick, you don't have to surrender. The following advice will help you combat these tiny invaders and speed your recovery:

* Wash your hands often and clean surfaces with disinfectant. Cold and flu viruses are often spread by direct contact--shaking hands and touching doorknobs, telephones or computer keyboards contaminated with cold or flu germs, then touching our noses, eyes or lips, which allows the viruses to enter our bodies.

* Avoid close contact with those infected. When sick people sneeze, cough or even talk, they contaminate the air with microscopic cold or flu particles. Breathing this air can make you ill. If possible, avoid close contact, especially if you have asthma or chronic lung disease, with those who have colds or the flu. If you are sick, cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

* Get vaccinated. The best way to prevent the flu or lessen its severity is to get a yearly flu vaccine, health experts say. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges that you get vaccinated if you are 50 or older, a child on long-term aspirin therapy, pregnant, have diabetes, chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, or an impaired immune system or if you live with someone with those traits.

There also are antiviral medicines (oseltamivir, rimantadine, amantadine) available by prescription that will help prevent flu infection. Since antiviral medicines can have side effects and some people are allergic to the flu shot, consult your doctor first on prevention options. Also be aware that the flu vaccine will not prevent a cold virus, and antibiotics (which are different from antiviral medicines) will not kill a cold or flu virus.

* Stay home and rest. Bed rest is the best medicine when you're sick, otherwise you prolong your illness. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and use a humidifier to relieve congestion. Gargle with warm, salted water and drink hot liquids like tea and soup to soothe your throat and break up phlegm. And take the proper cough-and-cold medicine to relieve symptoms. If you're treating a child or teen, the FDA warns that you not give them aspirin or products containing aspirin, which can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare, life-threatening condition.