Preventing Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza)

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching a cold or influenza . They include the following:

Take Care of Yourself

Do your best to eat well, get the sleep you need, and keep your stress levels in check. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to support your immune system, and a healthy immune system can keep you from getting sick during cold and flu season.

Wash Your Hands Often

Hand washing is the most neglected, yet most effective, method of disease containment. The primary way of spreading both colds and influenza is person-to-person contact. Wash your hands often, especially when you come in contact with someone who is sick. Even if someone in your house has the flu, you can reduce your risk of getting sick by washing your hands.

Effective ways to prevent respiratory infections include:

• Washing your hands thoroughly (15-20 seconds) with soap and water

• Avoiding hand-to-hand passage of germs and droplet sprays from sneezing and coughing

• Using alcohol-based hand gels when washing is not possible

Wear a Face Mask

If you have to be in close contact with a sick person, wear a face mask or a disposable respirator. Wearing a face mask and washing your hands can help to reduce your risk of getting the flu.

Do Not Share Items

Do not share drinks or personal items.

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face

Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.

Avoid Crowds During Influenza Season

This may not be a very practical suggestion for everyone. However, if you are at high risk of catching a cold or influenza or are at risk for developing complications from these infections, try to avoid crowded areas or people who are obviously sick during the influenza season.

Get a Flu Vaccine

Each year, the World Health Organization tries to determine which strains of the influenza virus will be most dangerous in the upcoming influenza season. Vaccines are developed for these strains.

A vaccine against the seasonal flu is available. The strain for the pandemic H1N1 (2009) flu is included in the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine. You do not need to have a separate shot for protection against the pandemic H1N1 (2009) flu.

There is a vaccine against the avian flu , but it is not available to the general public.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine

The seasonal flu vaccine has been associated with fewer hospitalizations and deaths from influenza or pneumonia among the elderly living in a community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone aged 6 months and older should get a yearly flu vaccine.

There are two types of seasonal flu vaccines:

• Flu shot—This is for people aged 6 months and older. The shot is made from an inactivated, killed virus. It is given by injection, usually into the arm.

• Nasal spray flu vaccine—This is approved for healthy people aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant. It is made from live, weakened flu viruses. It is taken by nasal spray.

A possible side effect is a mild "flu-like" reaction, including fever, aches, and fatigue. Up to 5% of people experience these symptoms after getting the seasonal influenza vaccine. Some supplements might help your body have an effective response to the vaccine.

Flu vaccines are available at doctors' offices, hospitals, local public health offices, and at some workplaces, stores, and shopping malls.

Medication

Most people can make it through a flu season without the need for antiviral medicines. However, you may want to talk with your doctor about taking antiviral medications to lower your risk of getting the flu if you are exposed to the flu and:

• Are at high risk for complications of the flu

• Are a healthcare worker, public health worker, or first responder

Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza,) to prevent the flu. In the US, some strains of the seasonal influenza virus are resistant to Tamiflu, but it can be used for pandemic H1N1 flu . There are other antiviral medicines (eg, amantadine , rimantadine ), but these are used less often and do not work in treating pandemic H1N1 flu.

If you have the flu and live with someone who is at risk for complications (eg, elderly, babies, someone with cancer), that person may need to take antiviral medicines to prevent getting the flu from you. Remember that these medicines are not a substitute for getting vaccinated. Vaccination is still the best way to prevent the flu.

References

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