Survival Secrets for the Cold and Flu Season

Want to weather the cold & flu season without going into hiding away from all human contact? Are you "forced" to be near many other people on a daily basis who may be sick? There's no need for the face mask. Just use water!

Yes, water. It's the essential ingredient in prevention. You use it to wash your hands. You consume it. And you breathe it in. You can greatly reduce your chances of suffering with a cold or the flu if you enlist water in your fight to stay healthy.
 
The most common mode of transmission of the cold and flu bugs is through contact with the hands. Hand washing is indispensable in the fight against germs. Wash your hands as often as possible and be sure to moisturize your hands in order to prevent dry skin that could crack and bleed. Open wounds on your hands are open doors to germs. Your skin is your first line of defense and if it is compromised in any way, you are much more susceptible to infection.

Another important line of defense is the skin inside your nose--your nasal mucous membranes. These membranes perform many functions but quickly lose their abilities if they become too dry. When the membranes are too dry, they become thick and sticky. They are unable to remove viruses and bacteria from the nose in a timely manner, allowing the bacteria and/or viruses to multiply and cause infection. Drinking plenty of water prevents the membranes from getting too dried out and keeps the mucous thin.

But how many of us actually drink the recommended daily allowance of water? How many of us actually know how much we need to drink everyday? Drinking 8-16oz. bottles of water each day will ensure that the nasal mucous membranes are properly hydrated so that they can perform optimally.

Another important area to keep hydrated is the air. A humidifier will bring the humidity back up to normal levels, which are between 40-50%. The dry air in winter combined with the heat in our homes quickly dries out the nasal mucous membranes. Once again, if the mucous membranes become too dry, infection can occur. In addition, inflammation of the nasal lining is more likely to occur when the nose is too dry. Inflammation blocks the small openings to the sinuses and sinus infections result.

Along with a humidifier, saline nasal spray can help hydrate the nasal mucous membranes when used as a "mist" in the nose. This spray can also be used as a "power wash" to eliminate the thick secretions in the nose that have trapped allergens, viruses and bacteria.

So as you can see, some of the most important precautions you can take to prevent infection aren't pricey supplements or complicated treatments. It's water.

Sources: http://www.achooallergy.com/home-humidity.asp