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Improve Your Immunity
Disease prevention relies somewhat on good health -- healthy food and fitness. Take care of yourself daily so when cold and flu season arrive you are fit and can better fight off the viruses that cause those ailments. Bird flu will also be better warded off with good general health. Know your cold and flu symptoms and seek medical help when you get sick.
Is your goal to stay well, especially during cold and flu season? Then start now to build up your immunity to fend off cold and flu germs.
Actions you can take include:
- Get enough rest. Sleep restores disease-fighting forces in your body.
- Get moving. Exercise builds long-term immunity power.
- Manage your stress. Stress drains your resources and decreases your immunity.
- Get essential nutrients through at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- Get lathered up -- wash your hands often.
- Get a flu shot.
Prevention tips:
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. And turn your head away from others.
- Use disposable tissues rather than cloth handkerchiefs.
- Avoid prolonged contact with people who have a cold or flu.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Cold Symptoms:
sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing - Flu Symptoms:
sudden, high fever for 3-4 days, body aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat and coughing
Bacterial Infection Symptoms:
- 102 degree temperature for more than 48 hours.
- A sore throat for 2-3 days.
- A cough beyond 10 days.
- Chest pain.
- Greenish nasal discharge.
- Severe ear or sinus pain.
Know when to seek medical care!
- Most colds and flus are caused by viruses and aren't treatable with antibiotics.
- The cure for viruses is rest and time.
- Only bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.
