10 Ways to Sleep Better With a Cold

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on November 04, 2022

Run a humidifier or vaporizer all night to release moisture into the air. Steam can loosen congestion and keep your head from drying out. Besides helping you breathe easier, moist air can soothe irritated tissues in your nose and ease sore throat pain as well. Be sure to clean and disinfect your humidifier regularly to get rid of germs.

When you have a cold, get the benefits of steam from a hot shower to make it easier to breathe. You can also try a few other ideas: Run the shower and sit in the steamy bathroom with the door shut. Bend over a sink filled with running hot water. Or put a warm compress over your sinuses.

Some cold medicines treat many problems at once, like congestion, runny nose, cough, fever, and aches. Check the ingredients carefully, and choose the medicine that most closely matches your symptoms. Decongestants can keep you awake. Antihistamines, on the other hand, might make you drowsy. If your child is under 4, don’t give them cold medicine.

When you can’t get any air in your nose, this type of nasal spray can help open up your nasal passages and ease the stuffiness. But beware — using one for more than 3 days in a row can end up making things worse.

For quick relief, gargle with warm salt water before you go to bed. You can also try over-the-counter lozenges, throat sprays, and pain relievers. Let your doctor know if you have a severe sore throat and a fever for more than 2 days — especially if you don’t have typical cold symptoms like congestion and sneezing. It could be due to a strep infection.

Some people try these sticky strips to ease congestion while they sleep. They go across the bridge of your nose to help stretch and open the nasal passages. A strip won’t break up mucus, but it may allow more space for some airflow.

You can use this over and over to loosen mucus. To make the solution, mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm distilled water. (Do not use tap water because it can be dangerous.) Pour it into in a spray bottle — the kind that can go into your nose. You can also use the mix with a neti pot to flush out your sinuses.

Rub a menthol salve on your chest and throat to soothe the cough that often comes with a cold. Don’t eat it or put it inside your nose. And never use it on children under 2.

You may have heard that your sinuses will drain more easily if you prop up your head on many pillows. Doctors say this isn’t a good idea, because it bends your neck in a way that can make it harder to breathe. So raise the head of the bed instead. You can put large books under the legs of your headboard and secure them. This creates a gentler, more natural incline.

A cold can make it hard to stick with a set bedtime. But it’s best to wake up and head to bed at the same times as usual. Sticking to a schedule not only makes it easier to fall asleep — it can help fight off the next cold. One study suggests that people who don’t get enough Zzz’s are three times more likely to catch a cold than those who get 8 or more hours of shut-eye a night.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

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8. Steve Pomberg / WebMD
9. Brand New Images / Stone
10. Image Source / Getty

SOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics: “Cough and Cold Medicine – Not for Children.”

Brown University Health Education: “Sinusitis.”

DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine: “Vaporizing Chest Rub.”

FamilyDoctor.org: “Cold and Flu.”

Go Ask Alice, Columbia University: “Nose Won’t Stop Running.”

Group Health Cooperative: Treating Colds and Flu.”

HealthyWomen.org: “Coping with Nasal Congestion.”

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Oct. 30, 2009.

Seattle Children’s: “Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?”

University of Maryland Medical Center: “Nasal congestion – Treatment. “

University of Michigan Health System: “Saline Nasal Sprays & Irrigation.”

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8 Ways You Could Be Making Your Cold Worse

Whether it’s the common cold or the flu that ails you, you have to take proper care of yourself.

By Beth W. OrensteinMedically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Reviewed: January 30, 2017

Medically Reviewed

Don’t Make These Mistakes

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Here we go again: You woke up this morning, and that cold you felt coming on is now in full bloom. Your head hurts. Your throat feels sore, and you have a cough. With more than 200 different types of viruses responsible for the common cold, you’re likely to get sick a few times a year or more, according to the National Institutes of Health. As an adult, you’re likely to have two or three colds a year, and kids catch eight or more colds a year on average. If you treat it properly, your cold is likely to last a week or two. But if you don’t, it could lag on longer. Here are some common mistakes that prolong cold and flu misery.

Pretending You Aren’t Sick

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It’s easy to want to ignore a cold — after all, you have more important things to do than sit home and treat it. “The most common mistake people make is to not slow down and take care of themselves when they have a cold,” says Neelam Taneja-Uppal, MD, an infectious disease specialist in New York City. If you run yourself ragged when you’re not feeling well, even if you just have a common cold, you’ll make it worse and it will take longer for you to recover.

Spreading Your Germs Around

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It usually takes two to three days from the time you’re exposed to the cold virus before you actually start to feel sick, but it could take as long as a week. You may feel fine, but you could also have a cold brewing. That’s why it’s so important to make a conscious effort to contain your germs once you feel sick. To keep a contagious cold from spreading, always cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and wash your hands often. Otherwise, your cold can spread around the house or office and boomerang back to you, leaving you feeling like you can’t recover.

Taking Antibiotics for a Common Cold

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If you have a bacterial infection, you likely need antibiotics to treat it. Viruses, on the other hand, don’t respond to antibiotics — and if you take them when you don’t need them, you can build up a resistance. That means that the next time you have an infection and need an antibiotic, it might not work as well as it should. Bottom line: If it’s the common cold, don’t try to zap it with antibiotics. Just stick with over-the-counter cold treatment.

Neglecting to Stay Well Hydrated

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When you have a cold, you may not feel like eating or drinking. It’s important, though, to drink plenty of fluids. Grandma’s remedy, chicken soup, isn’t just folklore — it really helps! Your mucous membranes are better at trapping and disposing of the virus that has invaded your nasal cavities when they are moist. “By drinking fluids, you’re also flushing out the toxins and bad stuff that’s invading your body,” Dr. Taneja-Uppal says.

Ignoring How Tired You Feel

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You really do need extra sleep when you’re not feeling well because of a cold or the flu, Taneja-Uppal says. That’s especially true if you’re running a low-grade fever, which can happen with colds, or the higher fever that accompanies the flu. Sleep helps your body fight the infection that’s causing you to feel ill. It may seem like a cliché to remind yourself to get plenty of rest, but you have to do so if you want to bounce back quickly and help your treatment do its job.

Lighting Up

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Smoking will make your cold symptoms, especially your cough, worse. “When you smoke, you’re irritating and damaging your lungs,” Taneja-Uppal says. When you have a cold, your lungs are already irritated. So smoking while you have a common cold will only worsen that irritation. You should also stay away from others who smoke as well. Secondhand smoke can be as irritating as smoking itself when you have a cold, Taneja-Uppal says.

Feeling Overly Stressed

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Stress can affect your immune system, forcing it to work harder, Taneja-Uppal says. During cold and flu season, you need your immune system to help you return to good health when you get sick. The more stressed you are, the longer a common cold can last. Learn to relax, take deep breaths, and practice other calming techniques.

Relying Too Much on Cold Treatments

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Some over-the-counter cold treatments can make you feel better. For example, nasal decongestant sprays or drops can help treat the stuffy nose of the common cold. But if you overdo them, cold treatments can actually have the opposite effect, making your cold symptoms worse. In fact, if you use a decongestant in spray or drop form for more than three to four days in a row, your nasal membranes will swell even more. Never use more than the dose recommended on the package label, and consult your doctor if you have any questions.

13 Tips for Treatment with Medication, Rest and Sleep

Learn 13 helpful tips for treating a cold that will help you manage your symptoms. In the article you will find information about medicines, rest and sleep for a quick recovery.

The common cold is a common illness that can affect anyone. It is caused by various types of viruses that spread rapidly among sick and healthy people in the environment. Although common, the common cold can lead to serious complications, especially for people with weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is very important to know how to treat a cold in order to quickly get rid of it and not endanger your health.

In this article, we will share with you 13 tips for treating a cold with medication, rest and sleep. You’ll learn about which medicines help with a cold, how to take them correctly to get the best effect, and how to let your body fight the disease without taking unnecessary chemicals. Our tips will help you quickly and effectively get rid of a cold and return to your normal life.

How to get rid of a cold: 13 tips

Colds are common, especially during the autumn and winter holidays. Her symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat and headache. To cure a cold, you need to rest and apply effective treatment.

Here are 13 tips to help you get rid of a cold:

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Good choices are tea with honey and lemon, hot chocolate, or warm chicken broth. This will help moisturize the mucous membranes and soften the throat.
2. Rest as much as possible to allow your body to focus on fighting infection.
3. Use nasal drops to relieve nasal congestion and reduce mucus. However, do not abuse these funds, their lack can lead to the opposite effect.
4. Use medication to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, make sure the medicine you choose is safe and right for you.
5. Apply a hot compress to relieve a sore throat. To do this, use hot water and a towel, do not forget to check the temperature of the water beforehand.
6. Use hot drinks or food to soothe your throat and reduce coughing. An excellent choice would be warm milk with honey and butter, as well as soup and broth.
7. Use cleansers such as inhalers and sprays. They will help you breathe easier and relieve symptoms.
8. Apply warm compresses to the chest to relieve coughs and body aches. To do this, you can use mustard patches or bombs based on eucalyptus.
9. Avoid large amounts of alcohol and snacking, as these can increase inflammation and make your condition worse.
10. Avoid synthetic clothes and shoes, instead choose warm and soft clothes.
11. Avoid contact with people when you are sick to avoid infecting them with the cold virus.
12. Breathe in fresh air by opening windows or going for a walk. This will help improve your condition and prevent congestion in your lungs.
13. Establish a proper daily routine to give your body a chance to recover and fight colds more effectively.

Daily routine

During a cold, it is recommended to rest more and get enough hours of sleep. Do not forget about the correct daily routine:

• Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, including days off.
• Don’t overwork yourself and don’t forget to take breaks during the day to rest and rejuvenate.
• In the morning start with light exercise, stretching or yoga to improve blood circulation in the body.

Also don’t forget to eat right:

• Drink more fluids: water, tea and broths.
• Avoid fatty and heavy meals, carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee and strong tea.
• Add more vegetables, fruits, and protein foods to your diet to help boost your immune system.

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Hot drink

Hot drink is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to help your body fight a cold. A hot drink moisturizes the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, reducing nasal congestion and relieving coughs. In addition, hot drinks can help relieve headaches and improve your mood.

Most people prefer to drink hot drinks when they have a cold, including hot water, tea, coffee, boiling water, juices and soups. Some drinks, such as ginger tea or honey tea, can be especially helpful.

Ginger Tea is an excellent antibacterial and antiviral drink that can help boost your immune system and fight off colds. To prepare ginger tea, you need to cut fresh ginger and pour hot water over it, then add lemon juice and honey to taste.

Honey tea is also a great way to soothe your throat and reduce coughs. To make this tea, you just need to add honey to hot tea.

• Hot drink moistens the airways and relieves nasal congestion
• Ginger tea can help fight colds and boost the immune system
• Honey tea soothes the throat and reduces coughs

Use medicine

If you already have a cold, you can use medicine to relieve some of the symptoms. It can also help speed up the healing process.

However, do not overuse drugs and follow the instructions on the package. Some medicines can have side effects and too much can be harmful to your health.

Antibiotics are not recommended for use in colds as they are useless if the cold is caused by a virus. Antibiotics can only help if your doctor determines that you have a bacterial infection that needs treatment.

antiviral medicines may be effective for certain types of viruses, such as influenza, if taken as soon as symptoms appear. Talk to your doctor to discuss which antiviral medications may be right for you.

Nasal Vasoconstrictor Drops may help relieve nasal congestion, but should not be used for more than 3-4 days as they may backfire and aggravate symptoms.

Antipyretic drugs may reduce fever and relieve a sore throat or headache. However, do not exceed the recommended dosage and follow the directions on the package.

Chest preparations and cough syrups can help relieve cough and chest congestion. However, do not use them if you are coughing up mucus, as these medicines can lead to buildup and worsening of symptoms.

Drink plenty of water

During a cold, the body loses a lot of water in the form of fumes, fever and sweat. This leads to dehydration and weakens the immune system, making it more vulnerable to infection.

Therefore, it is very important to drink plenty of water in order to replenish the body’s water reserves and strengthen the immune system. Pure water allows you to speed up the dehydration of germs and toxins that cause cold symptoms.

To ensure that your body gets enough water, it is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water can help clear the mucous membranes in the airways, reducing inflammation and improving lung and bronchial function.

• A good way to increase your water intake is to keep a bottle of water on the table and drink it every time you feel like it. It will also reduce the need to remind yourself to increase the amount of water you drink.
• Another way to increase your water intake is to add water to your diet, including soups, fruits and vegetables, which are high in water.

Remember the importance of drinking regularly to stay hydrated and help the immune system fight disease.

Eat right

The foods you eat are important to your health. During the period of illness, it is important to pay attention to your diet and eat food that promotes recovery.

Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants needed for a healthy immune system. Oatmeal and eggs are an excellent source of protein that helps tissues and organs recover from illness.

Avoid fatty or sugary foods, smoked meats and canned foods. These products can cause exacerbations of the disease and worsen the state of health.

• Make a budget for healthy food purchases;
• Ask someone to help you with shopping and cooking if you feel weak;
• Remember to drink hot drinks such as honey tea or chicken broth to soothe your throat and soothe your cough.

Eat the right nutrition and you will notice an improvement in your health within a few days. Also, don’t forget about moderation in your food intake, even if your diet is healthy and correct.

Use herbs

Herbs can help strengthen the immune system and relieve cold symptoms. It is recommended to consult a homeopath or naturopath for individual treatment recommendations. Here are a few herbs that may help:

• Echinacea: strengthens the immune system and reduces cold symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose.
• Ginseng: improves the immune system and helps the body fight stress and fatigue.
• Turmeric: has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce cold symptoms such as sore throat and cough.
• Ginger tea: helps soothe sore throats and reduce cold symptoms such as runny nose and cough.

Herbs can be used in the form of teas, capsules or tinctures. It is important to follow the instructions on the package and consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions or are taking medication.

Have a steam room

One of the most effective and ancient remedies for fighting a cold is a steam room. The steam room helps to expand blood vessels and improve blood circulation, which helps to remove harmful substances from the body.

The steam room also makes breathing easier and improves immunity, which helps fight the disease. In the steam room, you can use essential oils, such as eucalyptus, which has anti-inflammatory properties and makes breathing easier.

However, if you have a fever, then you should postpone going to the steam room until better times, as such a procedure can aggravate the condition of the body.

If you do not have the opportunity to visit a bath or sauna, you can create a steam room just in the shower by turning on hot water and closing the door to create steam.

Try mustard plasters

Mustard plasters are an excellent remedy for fighting colds. They help to warm up the body, improve blood circulation and reduce pain.

To make mustard plaster, you will need mustard powder and water. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of mustard powder with a little water to make a paste. Apply the prepared paste on a cold area, such as chest, back or legs, and leave for 15-20 minutes.

Do not forget to ventilate the room or put on warm clothes after the mustard plaster. Also be careful not to leave the paste on the skin for too long, as it can cause burns. Mustard plasters should not be used at elevated body temperature and on skin that has been treated with allergens or toxic substances.

Mustard plasters can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as drinking warm liquids and resting in bed. If the desired effect is not achieved, it is necessary to seek medical help.

Apply topical treatment

Medicated ointments and nose drops may work throughout the day. They can relieve symptoms and relieve pain.

Medicated throat sprays and ointments can help relieve sore and irritated throats. They can also clear excess mucus from the throat and nose.

• Use anti-inflammatory ointments for resorption for laryngitis and pharyngitis.
• Use ointment for a runny nose to help relieve nasal congestion.
• Use mucosal moisturizing sprays for nasal congestion.

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The use of medicated ointments and sprays is one of the effective topical treatments that can help fight colds. It is important to consult with your doctor to choose the most appropriate remedies.

Protect your throat

The throat is one of the main organs that are affected during a cold. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect it:

• Warm your throat: use warm drinks, hot compresses, and simple inhalations to relieve pain and reduce inflammation;
• Drink plenty of fluids: drink plenty of water and warm drinks to keep your throat moist and dry;
• Avoid smoking: smoking makes the throat worse and increases the risk of infection;
• Pay attention to food: eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get the necessary amount of vitamins to prevent colds;
• Avoid contact with allergens: if you have allergies, try to avoid contact with allergens that can cause a throat reaction;
• At the first symptoms of a cold: rest, do not strain your vocal cords or breathe cold air;
• Use remedies: use medicines and remedies to reduce pain and speed up recovery;

Humidify the air

One of the easiest ways to relieve the symptoms of a cold, as well as prevent their occurrence, is to humidify the air. The standard humidity level in the room should be at least 40%, however, during the cold season, when we often turn on the heating, the humidity level can drop very much.

Dry air not only dries out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, but also increases the risk of infection by viruses and bacteria, because in such an environment they feel most comfortable and able to survive longer.

As a way to humidify the air, you can use humidifiers sold in pharmacies. They work on the principle of water evaporation, thus humidifying the air. It is important to monitor the water level in the humidifier and change it regularly.

Other methods of humidifying the air can also be used, such as placing water containers on radiators, scattered plants, or even simply turning on an open basin of water in the room.

Humidification of the air can greatly relieve colds and help prevent them. However, do not forget that too high a humidity level can also cause the development of other diseases, so do not abuse the humidification of the air.

Rest

When you have a cold, you should definitely pay attention to rest. The body needs extra time to fight infection and recuperate.

Try to sleep at least 8 hours a day so that the body has enough time to regenerate. To improve the quality of sleep, you can drink herbal tea or warm milk with honey.

It is also useful to spend time in a quiet environment, listen to pleasant music or read a book. Avoid physical activity and stressful situations as this can worsen your condition.

• Take time to rest and sleep to speed up healing;
• Spend time in a calm environment and avoid stress;
• Enjoy herbal teas and pleasant music to relieve nervous tension and improve sleep quality.

Exercise

Exercise can be the key to boosting your immune system and preventing colds. This is due to the fact that exercise helps improve blood circulation and stimulates the production of nutrients that strengthen the body’s defenses.

The best way to start exercising is to choose something that suits your fitness level. Start with simple exercises you can do at home like push-ups, crunches, and squats.

If you have the opportunity to go to the gym, choose workouts that will help you strengthen your muscles and improve the distribution of oxygen in your body. Cardio exercise, such as running, cycling, or skiing, can also help reduce your risk of getting a cold.

In general, the goal should be to aim for 30-45 minutes of physical activity per day. Use your preferences and opportunities to create your own daily exercise program.

• Start slowly and gradually improve your training regimen;
• Don’t forget about outdoor walks, which help increase blood oxygen levels;
• Drink plenty of water during exercise;
• Do not load yourself too much, so as not to backfire and weaken your immune system.

Q&A:

Which medications help get rid of a cold faster?

There are many medicines that can help get rid of a cold. Some of them are: aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, naphazoline, phenylephrine and decongestants. But remember that medicines do not solve the cause of the disease, they can only alleviate the symptoms.

Is it possible to get rid of a cold without taking medicine?

Of course you can. There are many ways to get rid of a cold, such as rest, increased fluid intake, vitamin C, hot drinks, warm compresses. However, if the illness is too severe, then you may need to take medication.

Can I drink alcohol when I have a cold?

No, you should not drink alcohol when you have a cold. Alcohol can negatively affect your health and weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses and infections.

Can I ignore the symptoms of a cold?

No, cold symptoms should not be ignored because they can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, sinusitis, bronchitis and even pneumonia. It is necessary to start treatment as early as possible to avoid such complications.

What should I do if my cold doesn’t go away for more than a week?

If a cold persists for more than a week, see a doctor. This may be a sign of a serious infection or other health problems. The doctor will conduct additional studies and give recommendations for treatment.

Can I exercise when I have a cold?

No, you should not exercise when you have a cold. Physical activity can aggravate the symptoms of the disease and slow down its healing process. You need to rest and give your body time to recover.

What should I do to avoid catching a cold?

To avoid a cold, you need to take care of your health, provide your body with vitamins and minerals, avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands often and ventilate the premises. It is also recommended to get vaccinated against the flu.

Video on the topic:

What should not be done with SARS?

Influenza is an infectious disease that can affect anyone. The causative agent of influenza is a virus that from infected people enters the nasopharynx of others.

Most people get the flu for only a few days, but some get more severe, possibly severe, even fatal.

Influenza exacerbates existing chronic diseases, in addition, influenza has an extensive list of possible complications:

Pulmonary complications (pneumonia, bronchitis). Pneumonia is the cause of most influenza deaths.
Complications from the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (otitis media, sinusitis, rhinitis, tracheitis).
Complications of the cardiovascular system (myocarditis, pericarditis).
Complications of the nervous system (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia, polyradiculoneuritis).
In order to avoid possible complications, it is important to carry out the prevention of influenza in a timely manner and to properly treat the disease itself.

Influenza usually starts suddenly. The causative agents of influenza, viruses of types A and B, are characterized by aggressiveness and an exceptionally high reproduction rate, therefore, within a few hours after infection, the virus leads to deep lesions of the respiratory mucosa, opening up opportunities for bacteria to penetrate into it.

Influenza symptoms include fever, temperature of 37.5-39°C, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fatigue, cough, runny or stuffy nose, pain and itching in the throat.

Influenza can be confused with other diseases, so a doctor must make a clear diagnosis, he also prescribes treatment tactics.

What to do if you get the flu?

The patient himself, at the first symptoms, should stay at home, so as not only not to infect others, but also to start treatment in time, for which it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor. To prevent further spread of the infection, the sick person must be isolated from healthy individuals, it is advisable to allocate a separate room.

Important!
Parents! In no case do not send sick children to kindergarten, school, cultural events. With influenza, it is extremely important to observe bed rest, since the disease increases the load on the cardiovascular, immune and other body systems.

Self-treatment for influenza is unacceptable, and it is the doctor who must diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment, appropriate to the condition and age of the patient.

For proper treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and take medicines in a timely manner. In addition, it is recommended to drink plenty of water – it can be hot tea, cranberry or lingonberry juice, alkaline mineral water. You need to drink more often and as much as possible.

Important!
At a temperature of 38 – 39 ° C, call the local doctor at home or the ambulance team.
When coughing and sneezing, the patient should cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue.
The room where the patient is located should be regularly ventilated and wet cleaned as often as possible, preferably with the use of disinfectants that act on viruses.

Contact with a sick person should be limited, and when caring for him, use a medical mask or gauze bandage.

According to the position of the World Health Organization, the most effective remedy against influenza is vaccination, because it is the vaccine that provides protection against those types of influenza virus that are the most relevant in this epidemiological season and are part of it.

The introduction of a vaccine into the body cannot cause disease, but by producing protective antibodies it stimulates the immune system to fight infection. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is incomparably higher than all non-specific medicines that can be taken during the winter months, such as immunomodulators, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, traditional medicine, and so on.

Vaccination is recommended for all population groups, but is especially indicated for children from 6 months of age, people suffering from chronic diseases, pregnant women, and people at occupational risk groups – medical workers, teachers, students, workers in the service sector and transport.
Vaccination should be carried out 2-3 weeks before the onset of an increase in the incidence, vaccination can only be done in a medical institution by specially trained medical personnel, and a doctor’s examination is mandatory before vaccination.

There are few contraindications to influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination should not be done in acute febrile conditions, during an exacerbation of chronic diseases, with an increased sensitivity of the body to egg white (if it is part of the vaccine).

Having been vaccinated against influenza, you protect your body from the attack of the most dangerous viruses – influenza viruses, but there are still more than 200 types of viruses that are less dangerous for humans, but can also cause ARVI. Therefore, during the period of the epidemic rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, it is recommended to take non-specific preventive measures.

Flu Prevention Rules:

Get vaccinated against influenza before the start of the flu season.
Reduce your time in crowded places and public transport.
Wear a mask in crowded places.
Avoid close contact with people who show signs of illness, such as sneezing or coughing.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap regularly, especially after street and public transport.
Flush the nasal cavity, especially after street and public transport
Ventilate the room you are in regularly.
Regularly wet clean the room you are in.
Humidify the air in the room you are in.
Eat as many foods containing vitamin C as possible (cranberries, lingonberries, lemon, etc.).
Eat as many meals as possible with garlic and onions.
Use immune-boosting drugs and products as recommended by your doctor.
In case of occurrence of flu cases in the family or work team, start taking antiviral drugs for prophylactic purposes (as agreed with the doctor, taking into account contraindications and according to the instructions for using the drug).
Lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

1. How can I protect myself from the influenza A(h2N1) virus?

Use general influenza prevention measures: Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell, show fever (temperature) and cough. Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. Adhere to a healthy lifestyle, including proper sleep, eating “healthy” foods, physical activity.

2. How should I care for a sick person at home?

Isolate the patient from others, at least 1 meter away from others.
Cover your mouth and nose while caring for the sick. Either commercially available or homemade masks are suitable for this purpose, provided they can be disposed of or disinfected after use.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after each contact with a sick person.
Constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located. Use windows and doors for ventilation.
Keep rooms clean by using cleaning household products.
If you live in a country where this infection occurs, follow the additional guidance provided by the national and local health authorities in your country.

3. What should I do if I think I am sick?

If you feel unwell, have a fever, cough or sore throat:
Stay home and do not go to work, school or crowded places.
Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Cover your mouth and nose with available disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of used tissues properly.
Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Tell family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with people.

4. What if I need medical help?

Call the doctor at home and tell about your symptoms. Explain why you think you have type A(h2N1) influenza (for example, if you have recently traveled to a country with human outbreaks). Follow the advice given to you.
If it is not possible to contact your healthcare facility in advance, report your suspicion of infection as soon as you arrive at the facility.
Cover your nose and mouth while driving.

What should not be done with a cold?

1. At the first sign of a cold, do not tightly lock all the windows in the apartment. There is absolutely no need to supercool, but a long stay indoors can be harmful: the concentration of viruses in the air becomes high and prevents recovery. The more infection-laden air is replaced with clean air, the better for your health.

2. You don’t have to buy menthol candies from the kiosks. They do not have a therapeutic effect, thanks to menthol they only create the illusion of relief, but do not treat the very cause of the disease. Real medicines, for example, lozenges, are sold at a pharmacy, and which ones will help you, the doctor will tell you.

3. Do not buy cough medicines unless you know how they work. For self-treatment, you can only use expectorants that help thin and remove sputum from the bronchi (mucaltin, bromhexine, licorice syrup). And drugs that suppress the cough syndrome should only be prescribed by a doctor, usually this is done with a dry and unproductive cough that exhausts the patient, preventing him from sleeping. It is especially dangerous when self-medicating to combine expectorant and antitussive drugs: sputum accumulates in the bronchi and is not excreted from there. This mutually exclusive effect of drugs can cause serious harm to health.

4. No need to instill onion juice in the nose with a runny nose according to the “grandmother’s” recipe, you can get a burn of the mucous membrane! Modern otolaryngologists are also asked not to experiment on their own body and buy medicine for the common cold in a pharmacy. Special vasoconstrictor drugs that effectively facilitate nasal breathing should be used with caution and for a short time, in strict accordance with the doctor’s recommendations and instructions, otherwise side effects are possible.

5. Do not cancel showers and other hygiene procedures in case of illness.