--Reach for an orange, not an apple, to keep the doctor away. Regularly getting about 1 gram of vitamin C daily can reduce your cold symptoms by a day or two.
--The best time to get a flu shot is September to mid-November, six to eight weeks before flu season.
--Every year, complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, hospitalize more than 200,000 people.
--Keep disposable sanitizing wipes by your work station and regularly disinfect all surfaces where germs are easily spread like your desk, computer keyboard, mouse and phone.
--Don’t be hasty when you wash your hands. Lather up with soap and water and scrub for about 20 seconds.
DID YOU KNOW? Not all sniffles are colds. Call your doctor if your cold symptoms last more than two weeks or you have severe pain in your sinuses, the areas behind your nose and eyes. You may have a sinus or ear infection requiring antibiotics.
ASK A Good Neighbor Pharmacist
Q: Can a cold or the flu make my asthma worse?
A: Colds and other respiratory infections may trigger your asthma symptoms. They also increase your risk of having asthma attacks, going to the hospital or getting pneumonia or bronchitis.
And many common over-the-counter cold remedies contain pain-relief medications that worsen asthma. These include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Steer clear of these products unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Check labels or ask your Good Neighbor Pharmacist so you know what to avoid.
Also, check with your doctor before taking decongestants. They can interfere with your asthma treatments. Keep in mind that antibiotics don’t help most colds, which are caused by viruses. Don’t demand them if your doctor doesn’t think they will help. Be sure to use your daily asthma medication as prescribed.
Keep a close watch over your asthma symptoms while you’re under the weather. If your breathing problems wake you up at night or limit your regular activities, follow the steps in your asthma action plan or talk with your doctor. He or she can tell you how to adjust your existing medications to control symptoms.
Q: IS it OK to take over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines if I have high blood pressure?
A: Check with your doctor or Good Neighbor Pharmacist before taking on OTC drug if you are taking any prescription medications. People with high blood pressure have a bigger risk for complications from combining OTC and prescription drugs. So try to limit how often you use OTC medicines. Decongestants and antihistamines in cold and allergy medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can affect how your blood pressure medicine works, increase blood pressure or speed up your heart rate.
CAN’T STAY HOME WITH A COLD OR THE FLU?
FEEL BETTER NOW
You’re under the weather—but you can’t miss that big meeting or your child’s birthday party just because of a cold. There’s how to make it through the day.
--Saline nasal drops can help clear out tour nose and moisten raw skin. Petroleum jelly also can relieve dry skin on your nose.
--Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke.
--Drink plenty of water and eat soup—clear liquid can loosen mucus and prevent dehydration.
--Take aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve pain and fever. However, don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers. Tepid baths and cool sponges also can help lower your temperature.
--Soothe a sore throat with sprays or lozenges. OR try gargling with salt water a few times a day.
--Over-the-counter medicines can help relieve symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and coughing. Ask your Good Neighbor Pharmacist for recommendations on what might help soothe your symptoms.
If you have the flu, ask your doctor about antiviral medications.
If you have a fever, chills, body aches or a severe cough—or your symptoms came on suddenly—it’s best to stay home or go home if possible. You may have a more serious viral infection. It’s also a good idea to stay home if you feel you may be contagious or pose a danger to others.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy, December 2011
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