It’s that time of year when the air is chilly, and frost has begun to coat the grass in the early mornings. As October comes to a close, cold and flu season is quickly approaching. You may have noticed symptoms such as a sore throat or runny nose more frequently. The average adult gets an average of two to three colds a year. While they typically are mild, these can disrupt your daily life due to the pesky symptoms. The flu is more severe, and the CDC estimates that this season, there will be 34 million diagnosed and an additional 15 million doctor visits due to the flu.
How Do I Know If It’s a Cold or the Flu?
The main difference between the two is the severity and the symptoms. It’s also important to know that the cold and flu are viral infections. This means that it cannot be cured with antibiotics and has to be expelled from the body on its own. However, you can get a vaccine to help prevent the flu from happening.
What Can You Do for Prevention?
- Wash your hands frequently and correctly.
- The CDC recommends the following steps:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- The CDC recommends the following steps:
- Get a flu vaccine
- Missed your chance for a flu shot in the fall? Don’t worry — vaccination in December or beyond is still effective against circulating flu strains. Prioritize your health and get vaccinated now.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Keep up a healthy lifestyle through hydration, a balanced diet, and exercise.
While sometimes contracting a cold or the flu is inevitable, you can implement these best practices to help lessen your symptoms and prevent the spread. Interested in further reading? Learn more about the flu season from our friends at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s MI Blue Daily blog.