Flu Season: Practice Healthy Habits

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 2 of 4)

Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can help the immune system better fight off the germs that cause illness. Because smoking interferes with the mechanisms that keep bacteria and debris out of the lungs, those who use tobacco or who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to respiratory illnesses and more severe complications than nonsmokers.

If you've been feeling run down, some stress management might not be a bad idea. David Skoner, M.D., chief of allergy and immunology at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, has studied the effects of chronic stress on susceptibility to cold and flu infections. "We've found that people who experience more stress are more likely to get sick and experience worse symptoms," he says. Examples of chronic stress are personal crises such as going through a divorce or feeling stuck in a bad job.

"Research has also shown that the more social you are, the less likely you are to get sick," Skoner says. It could be because having more social contacts and support is less stressful than keeping to yourself, he says.

If you do come down with a cold or flu, here's advice on safe relief from symptoms:

Drink up and rest.

Fluids such as water, juice, soup, and non-caffeinated beverages can help loosen mucus, keep you hydrated, and make you feel better, especially if you have a fever. Alcohol and drinks containing caffeine may have a dehydrating effect. To help others stay healthy, limit your exposure to them and promptly throw out tissues rather than letting them pile up on your nightstand.

Gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat. A cool-mist humidifier, which breaks water into droplets and releases them into the air, may help relieve stuffy noses. Keep the humidifier clean to avoid a buildup of mold, which could be harmful if inhaled. Saline nasal drops and suctioning with a bulb syringe can help infants and small children breathe better. But be gentle because aggravating the nasal passages could make swelling worse. Also, dress sick children comfortably — like you would dress yourself, Pickering says. "Some parents bundle them up if they have a fever, but that can make it worse."

Choose over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that are appropriate for your symptoms.

With all the choices on the shelves, it can be hard to know what medicine to pick. It may seem easier to grab a multi-symptom medicine that promises to take care of everything, but it's better to take a product specific to your symptoms, says Jeffrey Delafuente, a professor and director of geriatric programs at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Pharmacy.

"If your only problem is a runny nose, why take a cough suppressant?" he says. Taking medicine for symptoms you don't have may not be harmful, he adds, but it unnecessarily exposes you to medicine and the accompanying side effects. "Multi-symptom medicines can be useful if you truly have many symptoms."

If you want to unclog a stuffy nose, then nasal decongestants may help. Cough suppressants quiet coughs; expectorants loosen mucus so you can cough it up; antihistamines help stop a runny nose and sneezing; and pain relievers such as acetaminophen can ease fever, headaches, and minor aches. Check with a pediatrician or your family physician first before treating children suffering from cold and flu symptoms with medicine.

Don't give aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines to children and teen-agers.

Children and teen-agers suffering from flu-like symptoms, chickenpox and other viral illnesses shouldn't take aspirin because of the possibility of Reye syndrome. Some medicine labels may refer to aspirin as salicylate or salicylic acid. Be sure to educate teen-agers, who may take OTC medicines without their parents' knowledge.

Children with Reye syndrome start vomiting and become drowsy within a few days of becoming sick. The disorder, which is now rare, can affect all body organs and lead to brain damage and death. Reye syndrome occurs almost exclusively in children 4 to 12 years of age and is rare in adults, Pickering says.

Read OTC medicine labels carefully and follow directions.

Use the dosing device that comes with the medicine and don't exceed recommended dosages or length of use. Taking a nasal spray for too long during a cold could result in an even stuffier nose, for example. Always check with a doctor first if the correct dose for a child isn't listed on a label and before giving a child more than one medicine at a time.

Delafuente says he tells older people, who often take multiple medications, to check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking a new OTC cough and cold medicine because some can worsen underlying health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Decongestants can speed up heart rate, for example, and antihistamines can cause urinary retention in men with prostate problems. For both young and old, antihistamines can make you drowsy, which could affect driving.

Be sure to check expiration dates and get rid of old medicine. The FDA has warned consumers against using OTC and prescription drug products containing phenylpropanolamine because the ingredient has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). This ingredient was commonly used as a decongestant in OTC and prescription cough and cold medicines before the warning.

About the Author

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