Colds and flu

Have a cough? Sneezing a lot lately? How about a sore throat or feeling achy all over?

If you've had those symptoms, you're not alone. It's cold and flu season. And that means besides some holiday cheer, some of us may be passing around something not so nice - germs that will make other people sick.

The winter is typically one of the worst times of the year for spreading around germs that lead to colds and even the flu. When the weather is colder, we tend to stay indoors, and in our enclosed environments, it's easier to spread illnesses. So with that point in mind, here are some tips suggested by medical professionals aimed to help you stay healthy or, at the least, avoid being the person who spreads an illness to your family, friends or co-workers.

One of the most important things we all can do is wash our hands. This simple act can help prevent germs from spreading. So each time you shake someone's hands or blow your nose, take a few seconds to wash your hands.

Speaking of sneezing, make sure when you sneeze that you do so into your elbow. Sneezing into your hands makes it much more likely that you'll spread germs.

Of course, the best way to prevent spreading illness is not to get ill in the first place. That means we have to bolster our immune systems. If you haven't gotten a flu shot yet, do so quickly. Beyond inoculations, there are some common-sense things we can do such as getting an adequate amount of sleep, exercising, eating healthy foods and engaging in activities that bring you happiness - the simple act of which, some studies suggest, can boost the immune system.

If you do get sick, there are some steps you can take to help yourself get better sooner while not passing along your cold or flu.

First, as much as we need to work or go to school, it's really best to stay home if you are truly sick. If you have a fever, ache all over and are sneezing or coughing incessantly, do everyone a favor and stay home. You won't be as productive as you otherwise would be anyway, and it will prevent the spreading of germs.

Second, make sure you stay hydrated by drinking water or other fluids as directed by your physician.

Finally, once you use a tissue, make sure you throw it away to avoid the spreading of germs.

People will get colds. Some of us will get the flu. It's the reality of life in the winter time.

But if we pay attention to what we're doing, we can avoid passing on germs. And we can avoid some illnesses and reduce the severity of others.