Avoid Colds and Flu
Sweater weather means sniffles. So, here’s a true/false test from LiveScience.com to help you avoid colds and the flu:
Hand sanitizers are better than soap. That’s false! Sanitizers kill germs, but they don’t work on viruses. Using soap with water is what flushes viruses off your hands and down the drain. And anti-bacterial soaps aren’t any better than the regular kind.
It’s okay to kiss your spouse when they’re sick - as long as you don’t hold their hand. That’s true! Colds rarely leap from mouth-to-mouth. You’re more likely to catch a cold by rubbing your eyes or nose with your hands.
Laughing prevents colds. True again. Research shows that happy people are less likely to get sick, and report fewer symptoms when they are under the weather.
True or false? If you get a cold, you should load up on over-the-counter medicine. Actually, that’s not a good idea. The Mayo Clinic recommends skipping medicines that dry up nasal membranes, because a runny nose is your body’s way of getting rid of germs. They also discourage the use of decongestants because of a rebound effect that can leave you feeling stuffier than when you started. Instead, try mom’s remedy: chicken soup. Yes, any hot liquid will make you feel better, but a University of Nebraska study showed that chicken soup contains a natural anti-inflammatory compound that eases the symptoms of respiratory tract infections.
14754 Category:(Discussion) Created:(10/2/2008 11:58:00 AM)