natural cold and flu prevention

Wellness on Wednesday: Cold and Flu Prevention Part 5

/ healthbuddymelissa / Leave a comment

There are only two more parts to this series, so it will end next Wednesday.  I will then move on to other topics.  I hope you are finding this series useful.

The 5th link in the Chain of Infection is the Portal of Entry.  A portal of entry can be broken skin, incisions, inhaled through the respiratory tract.  There are a few others, but since we are discussing cold and flu these are the ones we will discuss.

You may have noticed a pattern by now that good handwashing is included in almost every chain in the link.  Good handwashing is the number one way to prevent cold and flu.  Barriers such as gloves and respiratory masks are two other ways to break this link.  BTW gloves and respiratory masks do not just protect you from getting a cold or flu, but protects others from you should you be the person with the illness.   I think sometimes people forget this.  Also getting a flu shot if you have been advised to do so can break this link.  Basic First Aid and personal hygiene are the last two ways to break this link.  If you have overly chapped hands, or small cuts on your hands,  that can allow germs to enter be sure and use a hand lotion to help heal the skin.   Chapped, dry lips and nose can also allow germs to enter.  Use chapstick, and a humidifier at night to add moisture and barrier to protect against germs entering the body.  Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep and maintain a healthy diet will also help keep you and your Immune System in good working order.

You can read the other posts in the series in the archives.

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Cold and Flu Prevention: Break the Chain of Infection Part 4

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Welcome back to part 4 of my series on Cold and Flu Prevention:  Break the Chain of Infection.  You can read the rest of the series in the archives under Wellness Wednesday.

The 4th link in the Chain of Infection is the Mode of Transmission.  This means the way in which the germ is spread.  This can be direct via human to human, or indirectly by a vector, ie animal.  Since I am talking about Cold and Flu it would be directly by close association with an infected individual.  Hugging, kissing, and even handshakes can be considered a close association.  Picking up soiled tissues, or touching surfaces infected by dirty hands are good examples, as well as sneezing, coughing and sometimes just talking.

Ways to break this link are good and frequent hand-washing, cleaning and disinfecting daily areas that are prone to become contaminated, isolation- stay home if you have symptoms, get your Flu shot if you are immunocompromised or advised by your doctor, carry hand-sanitizer for when you can’t wash your hands, wash hands immediately after touching contaminated surfaces, use gloves if you can when picking up soiled tissues or use a clean tissue to guard your hands and wash hands immediately after, keep your hands away from your face, be sure you are using good germ etiquette too such as covering mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Also, keep in mind that by keeping yourself as healthy as possible your body may be able to fight off the Cold and Flu.  Good sleep, a good diet, avoid added sugar, take Vitamin D or get sunlight, avoid and manage stress,  get fresh air- at least 15 minutes a day are all great ways to keep your immune system as healthy as possible.  If you would like to learn more about any of these use the contact form below to message me for a free Meet and Greet.

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Wellness Wednesday: Cold and Flu Prevention Part 2

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Updated 4/21/2021:

Last week I discussed the first chain of infection.  This week I will discuss the second link in the Chain of Infection:  Reservoirs.

So, let us say the first link was not broken, and the pathogen or germ was able to continue to the next link in the chain.  A Reservoir is anywhere that the germ lives.  This can be animals, insects, dirty surfaces, dirty equipment, soil, water, and of course humans.  Getting rid of the reservoir will break this link in the chain and may prevent getting the Cold or Flu.

Ways to break the Reservoir link:

1-  Don’t leave standing water around.  If you are like me and you enjoy watching birds, and butterflies make sure you are changing the water frequently so germs do not thrive, and grow.  The same can be said for pets or animals who live outside.

2-  Disinfect surfaces and equipment daily, if exposed to high levels of germs.  Of course, this would be any health-related facility.  But, it could also be anywhere that dirty hands can come in contact with surfaces ie stores, restaurants, movie theaters, daycare, school, church, etc.  Carry hand sanitizer and wash hands with soap and water as soon as you return home.

3-  Control pests around home and business.  Pests can include rodents, insects and other possible germ-carrying animals such as possum, skunks, armadillo, etc.   Make sure your pets are healthy and have proper vaccines, flea and tick control.

4-  Stick to infection prevention such as handwashing, getting vaccines if advised by your doctor, get enough sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, and exercise regularly.  Some supplements that may help are Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin D.  Be sure to learn about how to take properly, and any side effects.

5-  Soil testing procedures should be followed as advised by government policies.

It is possible to avoid Cold, and Flus by breaking the chain of infection.  It takes being mindful and diligent in good prevention measures.  Always remember that the #1 way to prevent Cold and Flu is good handwashing.

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