Don’t Catch the Bug: Avoiding Winter Viruses and Bacterial Infections

By: Diana Barnes-Brown for Body1

While the common belief that you can catch a cold from being cold is not supported by modern medical science, it’s true that certain immune system risks go along with cold weather. People share offices, crowded flights, train trips and car rides, stay in closed spaces to avoid winter weather, and breathe in lots of bone-dry air that is hard on the respiratory system. Some suffer from seasonal mood disorders such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or milder cold-weather depression. Lower motivation to hit the gym, limited availability of fresh, nutritious veggies and fruits, and increased alcohol and junk food consumption can also deprive the body of some of its more basic sources of immune defense. But there is plenty you can do to prevent risks from becoming realities.

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Quick Tips for Preventing Winter Viruses and Infections Practice basic prevention – and common courtesy! Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash hands often and use alcohol-based hand gels for extra protection. Teens and college students in close quarters should be vaccinated for meningitis, and need to be educated about basic prevention of mono and other contagious illnesses. At-risk persons, such as the elderly, the very young, and the immune-compromised, should receive flu vaccinations. It is best to get vaccinated early in the season. Supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, and Echinacea can be helpful in giving taxed immune systems a boost. Drink plenty of water and clear fluids to keep sinuses and respiratory pathways healthy and free of toxins. Practice healthy behaviors such as exercise, good nutrition, good sleep habits, stress reduction and treatment for mood disturbances.

When attending parties or events, even one cold or flu sufferer can be responsible for spreading illness to a whole room full of people. To avoid spreading viruses, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands after; others should follow suit. The same goes for those who are sick in the workplace. If you have a guest or coworker who is visibly sick, you might consider encouraging the same: a gentle, humorous comment such as “I guess you’re giving us all an extra gift this year, huh?” or “There’s a bathroom down the hall if you want to wash your hands,” can be a good reminder for people to be courteous and take appropriate precautions.

Wash hands regularly whether or not you’re sick, and keep alcohol-based hand gel within reach for times when you can’t use soap and water. Recent research indicates that hand gel can prevent transmission of cold and flu in families where one person is already sick, so remind your loved ones to disinfect as appropriate.

Close living spaces such as dormitories and even densely populated apartment buildings can be breeding grounds for a few particularly nasty forms of contagion. One of these is a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitides, responsible for causing meningococcal meningitis, a dangerous disease that causes inflammation in the spine and brain. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all incoming college freshmen receive vaccination against meningitis, and that all pre-teens about to enter high school do the same, as these populations account for roughly a third of all cases of the illness.

Mononucleosis or “mono” is also common among those living in close quarters, and although it is rarely fatal, mono can cause extreme fatigue, organ swelling, and flu-like symptoms for weeks or months. Hand washing and general hygiene precautions can also be helpful in preventing mono, and although temptation can be intense for teens and college students, kissing someone with visible symptoms of mono is a great way to catch it.

Influenza is one of the most dangerous and most common viral infections worldwide, and it takes a toll on the very young, the elderly, and those with a weak immune system. Anyone at special risk for developing influenza should be vaccinated and the earlier vaccination takes place, the better. Patients will be covered for more of the high-risk months and be less likely to find that health centers have used up their supplies when demand is high.

Some health care experts recommend taking immune supplements such as zinc lozenges, vitamin C, and Echinacea. There is strong anecdotal evidence of these methods’ effectiveness in preventing cold and flu, and some supporting research as well. Staying hydrated with plenty of water and other clear fluids also helps a great deal in keeping sinuses and respiratory pathways healthy, and flushing unwanted toxins out of the body.

Finally, general health and fitness go a long way when it comes to keeping the immune system strong. Exercise and eat well, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, take time to de-stress, and combat depression with medical care and positive thinking. While these steps may seem too simple to make a huge difference, research supports the therapeutic role these facets of preventive health care have in keeping nasty viruses and infections at bay.

Last updated: 20-Feb-07