Avoiding the Flu

The current dry spell comes with coughs and sniffles The current hot and dry season, makes us all susceptible to coughs and sniffles and full blown coughs. Such conditions can get both adults and children bed ridden for days. Although the germs that cause these are usually airborne, with a little caution, you can avoid getting infected. Just keep the following tips in mind.Eat less sugar. This is because excessive sugar in the bloodstream depresses immunity, because sugary foods make the pancreas release huge amounts of insulin to break the sugar down. The after-effect of this is the suppression of the release of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland which is the prime regulator of the immune system.Eating less simple sugars and more complex carbohydrates will keep you warmer, slimmer and resistant to many illnesses. Resist the temptation to add another spoonful of sugar to your hot chocolate! Eschew antibiotics. Colds and flues are caused by viruses and cannot be treated effectively by antibiotics, so unless you have a secondary bacterial infection that your doctor prescribes antibiotics for, avoid the unnecessary side effects.Cheer up. Human beings are prone to feeling sad and depressed when it’s too hot and dry. Feeling down isn’t good for your immune system. Enjoy the spells of sunshine and find something interesting to do when you have to be indoors.Beware of sneezers. A sneeze can send harmful bacteria from the back of your throat across a room at over 100 km per hour. Sneeze into a hanky and the crook of your arm so that you avoid transferring your germs to others by touching.Prevention is better than cure. Taking extra supplements to bolster your immunity during the hot season is worth it. Take zinc, Vitamin C and Echinacea supplements according to your doctor’s advice.Go for the flu vaccine. Older people and those prone to getting respiratory disorders like bronchitis and pneumonia should consider getting vaccinated because it offers protection from the full-fledged complications of a cold.Mind your diet. Plenty of water, fruits, vegetables, chicken soup, honey and lemons should feature in your diet to boost immunity. Avoid ‘stagnating’ foods like a lot of milk, salt, refined flour products and sugar.Wash your hands properly. Invest in a good antibacterial hand washing liquid for the whole family. Just rinsing your hands will not kill the germs that lurk on all the surfaces you touch.The most common places where bacteria breed are door handles, telephones, and office desks, toys, shopping trolleys, TV remotes, kitchen worktops and toilets. Remember, the easiest way to catch a cold is by touching something that an infected person touched before you, so play safe.