7 Tips for Preventing Colds and the Flu this Fall

As summer becomes fall, you can expect the beginning of cold and flu season, an annual event that lasts for months.

The good news is there are ways to prevent catching these viruses.

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff know that the common cold and the flu are two of the most common and contagious upper respiratory illnesses, and we always see an uptick in patients during the season’s peak from December to February.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent getting either the cold or flu virus. Here, our staff outlines seven tips to keep you healthy all year long.

What are the common cold and the flu?

A cold is a highly contagious upper respiratory viral infection. It affects your nose, throat, sinuses, and trachea, and it can be caused by over 200 different types of viruses, including many rhinoviruses and some coronaviruses.

Colds are incredibly widespread, with adults often developing 2-3 each year, and young children coming down with four or more.

While there’s no cure for any of the viruses because they mutate so quickly, they usually pass on their own within 7-10 days with at-home care of rest and plenty of fluids.

The most common symptoms in the early stages are sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, a cough, and hoarseness. It may be followed by body aches and fatigue.

The flu is caused by the influenza virus and is also a highly contagious upper respiratory infection. Like the common cold virus, it’s constantly mutating, which is why you have to get a new flu shot every year before flu season begins.

For the healthy and young, the flu usually isn't as serious. You’ll probably feel awful for a week or two with fever, chills, and body aches, but it resolves on its own with rest and fluids and has no lasting effects.

However, for people at high risk, such as the elderly and people who are immunocompromised, they can develop complications from the infection, such as getting another viral or a bacterial infection that can become life-threatening if not treated.

Common complications include croup and sinus or ear infections. Lung infections, such as pneumonia, are also possible. Some people develop an infection of the heart muscle or heart lining. 

If you’re at high risk of complications, it’s important to see our team to mitigate any problems that may arise.

7 tips for preventing colds and flu

The most important prevention tip is 1) getting your annual flu shot. Every year, scientists determine which three or four strains are likely to be most prevalent and make a vaccine against them. 

While it’s still possible to get the flu after having the vaccine, you’re much less likely to develop complications.

Other important things to consider are to 2) stay home from work or school if you’re sick. These are contagious conditions, and you don’t want to spread them to other people. 

Since both colds and flu are spread by aerosolized droplets, you may want to 3) wear a mask to prevent breathing in the particles or spreading your own particles in the air.

4) Avoid high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and countertops to prevent picking up any contaminants, and 5) don’t touch your face if you’ve touched the surfaces, as the virus targets your mucus membranes. 

Make sure to 6) wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

Finally, 7) live a healthy lifestyle. That means eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night.

Want more tips on how to stay healthy during the winter months? Need to see a doctor because you’ve gotten sick? Mercy Medical Urgent Care is here to help. We’re open seven days a week. Walk in, or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.