Send Sniffles On Their Way With These Five Tips

Germs. We're exposed to them everywhere, every day. Coming down with the common cold, the flu or other infections seems inevitable.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates Americans suffer 1 billion colds a year and even more cases of the telltale sniffles.

Germs can remain active on most surfaces for several days, being spread through handshakes, touching a doorknob or handling a phone that a sick person has used.

While many germs are harmless, others can cause serious infections. A few simple modifications to your daily routine can help you stay healthy and keep germs at bay.

* Wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands is the most important thing that you can do to keep from getting sick. It's important to know how to wash your hands effectively.

Use warm water and a germ-fighting soap like Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash, found in supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. Rub hands for about 15 seconds, making sure to get underneath fingernails, and rinse well.

* Eat a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in phytochemicals, help keep your immune system at its best. Phytochemicals are disease-fighting nutrients found in foods like raw blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, broccoli and cauliflower.

* Get fresh air. A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially during the colder months. With more people staying indoors in col

weather, more germs are circulating in crowded indoor areas.

* Keep your hands away from your face. Germs cling to the hands and enter through the eyes, ears and nose. Covering sneezes and coughs with your hands and then touching surfaces also spreads germs to others. Use a tissue instead.

* When possible, avoid touching surfaces in public places. In shared spaces, such as an office, clean common areas frequently. - NU



By: Richard Lewis