Cold and flu viruses are spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, subsequently propelling germs into the air which then land on objects that are touched by other people. Germs are also spread if a person touches his eyes, nose or mouth with his hands and then touches other people or surfaces.
How to Avoid Catching a Cold or the Flu
The best way to avoid catching a cold or the flu is to keep away from people who are already infected. However, avoiding work, shopping centres, public transport and other communal places permanently during the cold and flu season is virtually impossible. Here are some simple precautionary measures to minimise the risk of catching colds and flu:
- Try to avoid touching the face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth. This avoids transferring any cold or flu germs into the body that may have been picked up by touching infected items or people.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water. This will remove any viruses that have been obtained from touching door handles, hand rails, money, or other objects that can harbour germs. Alternatively, use a hand sanitizer gel.
- Give the immune system a boost. Increase the body’s defences during the cold and flu season by eating plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables, which are high in immune-boosting vitamins and antioxidants. Also get plenty of sleep, reduce stress and take regular exercise to support the immune system.
How to Prevent the Spread of Colds and Influenza
Sufferers of colds and flu can take some basic steps to avoid passing on their germs to friends, family members, work colleagues and members of the public. These include:
- Avoiding sneezing or coughing into the air. Sneezing and coughing can deposit germs on people or objects, so sneeze or cough into a tissue and dispose of the tissue in the bin immediately after use. Do not leave germ-filled tissues or handkerchiefs lying around.
- Washing hands after blowing the nose. Germs can be transferred from the tissue to the hands when blowing the nose, so ensure hands are washed straight afterwards to avoid passing cold and flu viruses to other surfaces.
- Staying at home if possible. If cold and flu sufferers are coughing and spluttering all over the place, they should try to stay at home and contain their germs if possible.
- Regularly wiping down surfaces at home. Cold and flu germs can linger outside the body on surfaces that people touch regularly, such as telephones, door knobs, cupboard doors, light switches and taps, so use a mild disinfectant wipe to sanitise them.
People are most likely to catch colds and flu during the winter months, but simple things like washing hands and taking care when disposing of tissues can make a big difference to how widely viruses are spread.
For more information about colds and flu and preventing infection, read What are the Differences Between Colds and Flu? and What is the Proper Hand Washing Procedure?
Resources:
- BBC. “The Common Cold.” (Accessed 7th October 2009)
- NetDoctor. “Cold (Common Cold).” (Accessed 7th October 2009)
- Saga. “How to Avoid a Cold.” (Accessed 7th October 2009)
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
