How to protect yourself from colds. Humidity helps fight respiratory viruses

Approaching this issue with maximum responsibility and observing all the necessary conditions, you can survive periods of outbreaks of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections and influenza as safely as possible.

Information you need to know: Facts and figures about infections and viral diseases today.

• To date, doctors know more than 1300 different quite dangerous infections.
• If we consider total diseases, then infectious diseases up to 40%.
• According to the World Health Organization, almost 5 million people worldwide die every year from SARS and their complications.

What are infectious diseases and what is immunity?

Diseases united in this group are called diseases that cause pathogenic (that is, pathogenic) microorganisms penetrating into the human body.

We encounter such pathogens every day, but whether we get sick or not depends not only on how strong and aggressive the microbe is, but also on general condition our body, on how well it will be able to defend itself against these aggressors (pathogenic microorganisms).

It is precisely this ability of the body to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, pathogenic microorganisms, various substances foreign to the body, and is called immunity.

How can our body protect itself from outside intrusions?

Factors are primarily:

• Our skin, mucous membranes and the fluids they secrete such as saliva, tears, sweat, etc. This is the first protective barrier on the way of microbes.
• There are phagocyte cells in the body, which themselves "come" to the places of accumulation of microbes and absorb them.
• White blood cells produce special antibodies and thus make microorganisms defenseless.

In addition to the above protection factors, the body has a lot of other means that our body uses, protecting our health from all kinds of diseases.

But, unfortunately, more and more often, people's immunity becomes very weakened, and such a sad picture is observed all over the world:

In 40% of the total adult population, immunity is severely impaired, which ultimately leads to fairly frequent and protracted infectious and viral diseases.

Among the child population, the statistics are also not impressive: from 50 to 65% of children are regularly ill, of which acute and chronic viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract account for up to 85-90% of the total number of childhood diseases.

If the immune system is weak, then both the adult and the child will get sick constantly, recovering from one disease and being exposed to another.

The most important shield against such misfortunes is a strong immune system and adherence to daily preventive measures to protect your body.

What weakens our immunity?

The most common risk factors that weaken the immune system are:

• sharp and chronic stress,
• , poor sleep,
• unbalanced and unhealthy diet,
• factors that deplete the body (smoking, alcohol, stimulant abuse, low physical activity etc.),
• prolonged or even short-term use of antibiotics and pharmacy medicines,
• endocrine pathology (, diseases thyroid gland, violations reproductive function etc.) and any other chronic diseases of the body,
• old age, pregnancy, adolescence, menopause period, etc.

All of the above factors significantly deplete energy reserves body, impair health and weaken the immune system.

How do you know how strong your body's own defenses are?

To do this, simply answer the questions below and calculate the points received.

Answers to questions imply "yes" or "no".

1. Do you exercise regularly (at least 3-4 times a week for an hour)? Do you freeze quickly?
2. Do you often get cold feet and hands?
3. Are you able to quickly deal with stress using constructive methods?
4. Do you catch colds more than 3-4 times a year?
5. How do you fight colds and viruses? Do you use pharmaceutical drugs for this?
6. Do you have a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet? Do you take extra vitamins in winter and spring?
7. Are you sociable, do you have many friends?
8. Are you happy in love and in your family life?
9. Do you love fresh air? How much fresh air do you move every day?
10. Do you smoke?
11. Do you drink good wine or other alcohol from time to time (beer, champagne, etc.)?
12. Do you live in a big city?
13. Do you carefully monitor your figure? Are you slim?
14. Do you often use public transport (drive your own car)?
15. Do you work in a large team?
16. Are you drinking enough water per day?
17. Do you spend a lot of time in a warm room?
18. Do you have a lot of responsibility in life (work, household chores, taking care of parents, etc.)?
19. 1Do you regularly take a steam bath or sauna at least once a week?

For each “yes” answer to questions 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16,19 and for each “no” answer to questions 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 you write down one point for yourself.

Add up the number of points received.

If the received number is:

1. From 1 to 6 - your immunity is practically at zero. This is what causes all your ailments, weakness and apathy. You need a doctor's consultation, examination and major change lifestyle in its healthy direction.
2. From 7 to 12 - there are “holes” in the protective system of your body. You will be helped by a carefully thought-out lifestyle change, the introduction of new good habits that improve immunity ( cold and hot shower, vitamins, massages, cleansing procedures, etc.). A competent approach to this issue will help to significantly increase the defenses of your body.
3. From 13 to 18 - you have a fairly strong immune defense. Maintain it, strengthen it, take preventive measures to protect it, observe correct mode day, rest, sleep and nutrition.

By strengthening your immune system, you powerful protection organism from viruses and bacteria that cause diseases: a competent approach to this issue is capable of long years save your health!

How can you protect yourself from viruses and infections?

There are three main ways to protect your body from viruses and diseases:

• a specific method
• no specific method
• combining the previous two points.

A specific method of protection (prevention) includes the use of special vaccines (vaccinations).

Not specific method is the use of so-called folk methods, compliance with regime moments healthy lifestyle, etc.

Non-specific prevention of infections and viral diseases includes:

• Active lifestyle: swimming, running, walking, morning work-out, weight training, etc. Any physical activity chosen to your liking. The main rule is regularity. Movement is life!
• hardening. This is a very powerful factor. Swimming in the hole, rubdown cold water, snow, walking barefoot on grass, snow, etc.
• Steam room (bath, sauna,). Regularly once a week. AT cold time years, at least twice.
• Sufficient and quality sleep. It is simply useless to use various methods that strengthen the body's defenses, and at the same time do not fill up regularly, or sleep with “interrupted sleep” - it is simply useless. At today's pace of life, we are an 8-hour daily night sleep It is necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
• The ability to relax qualitatively: you need to master the methods quick recovery after experienced stress and regular nervous tension learn to quickly switch to the pleasant moments of life.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol completely.
• Periodically undergo cleansing procedures, cleanse your blood of toxins, your body -, keep the internal cleanliness of the body at a good level (starvation, fasting days, cleansing with juices, herbs, other methods).
• Learn to eat right. Eat healthy, fresh and natural food, which is right for you, after which you feel cheerful, active and good.
• Keep your home and workplace clean.
• Take care of yourself and observe high-quality personal hygiene.

What foods strengthen the immune system and help protect it from viruses and bacteria?

You can immediately highlight:

• Herbal teas (chamomile, nettle, St. John's wort, immortelle, yarrow).
• Berry infusions (, hawthorn and other berries)
• Garlic, onion, horseradish, mustard.
• All citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines).
• Berries (cranberries, sea buckthorn, blueberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries).
• Fresh fruits.
• Fresh vegetables (beets, carrots, pumpkin, radishes, cabbage).
• Greens (spinach, parsley).
• Spices (pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, etc.).
• Specially prepared products:
• "Alive" dairy products.
• Sprouted or soaked (this is also an activation) grains and seeds.
• Food and drink fermentation.

How can you protect yourself and your family from the flu?

You never want to get sick. I don't want to get sick of anything.

I especially don’t want to catch it during flu epidemics, and spend a certain amount of time completely “turned off” from life in a very unpleasant physical and moral state.

This is quite complex and serious disease, the main difficulty in which lies precisely in those complications (consequences) that begin after everything seems to be over and the person is practically healthy.

What you need to know about the flu virus

• is a viral disease that is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets and causes damage to the respiratory tract of a person.
• In total, about 200 types of respiratory viruses are known. They are grouped under the name "acute respiratory viral infections" (ARVI).
• In reality (even during an epidemic), influenza occurs in only 10-20% of patients respiratory infections. The remaining 80% of morbidity cases are accounted for by other acute respiratory viral infections.
• That is why vaccination can only protect against the flu. There is no vaccine for other respiratory viruses.

How infection occurs:

• A sick person (or a carrier of the virus) when talking, coughing, sneezing, releases microparticles of saliva and mucus, which contain viruses. When they get on the mucous membranes of a healthy person, infection occurs.
• Infection is also possible by contact: through touch and common objects.
• How it looks like this: we touch the door handle, the handrail that the sick person touched, and then we scratch our nose with unwashed hands, we rub our eyes.
• Viruses find themselves in their usual environment, and infection occurs.

How to minimize the risk of getting flu and colds (ARI, SARS)?

• Get a flu shot

Remember that the vaccine must be done BEFORE the start of the epidemic, i.e. while you are still healthy.

For vaccination, contact your clinic. Specialists will tell you everything and carry out the vaccination procedure.

• Use interferon preparations

Interferon is an antiviral protein. It stops the division of viral particles in the affected cell.

Interferon acts on influenza viruses and other acute respiratory viral infections.

Interferon preparations are available in the form of nasal drops, ointments, suppositories, as well as lyophilisates, from which you can prepare your own medicine. For influenza and SARS, interferon is usually used in the form of nasal drops.

Do not use immunostimulants without a doctor's prescription!

Sometimes, according to the doctor's prescription, immunostimulants are taken. However, the immune system is very complex, and does not always respond properly to stimulation. Uncontrolled use of immunostimulants is dangerous.

In addition, these drugs are contraindicated in childhood and during pregnancy.

• If someone in the household is sick

In this case, ventilate the room more often, wash your hands with soap and water, wear a mask. When someone in the family has the flu, the risk is high. Especially if you are caring for a sick person.

Ventilate the room where the sick person is located more often. This will help to minimize the number of viruses in the room.

Also, don't forget about simple rules hygiene. Washing your hands will protect you from contact infection.

It is better if a disposable medical mask is worn not only by family members, but also by the sick person himself.

In this case, you must follow the rules for wearing it:

• Change the mask every 3-4 hours.
• A damp mask must be replaced with a new one.
• Be sure to dispose of the used mask. Do not reuse it under any circumstances!

The following tips are mandatory prevention not only to protect against the flu, but also against other infections.

Protect yourself and your family from viruses in simple and effective ways

• Be careful while traveling.

Before traveling to a particular country, study the information and find out if you are at risk of contracting a virus there, and how you can protect yourself from it.

In a foreign country, you will have to eat food that is unusual for you, a completely “different” water, etc.

Therefore, go to the doctor and get vaccinated, pass preventive treatment especially if you are going to a country where malaria, tuberculosis and other highly contagious diseases are common.

Be very strict about personal hygiene while traveling!

• Personal hygiene is a guarantee of your safety!

Wash your hands. This is the simplest and most effective way to protect against viruses and infections.

Many viruses are easily transmitted through touching and shaking hands, so washing your hands will save you from imminent illness. It is especially important to wash your hands after visiting public places where you have had contact with sick people, or use the same items that sick people used.

Wash your hands warm water with soap every time after:

• Travel by bus, metro or any other form of public transport.
• Visits to shops and markets.
• School or work.
• Use of a public toilet.
• Gym visits.

Do not touch dirty hands nose, mouth and eyes. Don't rub your eyes, wipe your nose, or lick your fingers until you've washed your hands with warm, soapy water.

A good option (in case there is no water and soap nearby) are antibacterial gels and wipes.

Do not share your food and drinks with others. Never offer your food and drink to friends and colleagues. Do not drink yourself from other people's glasses and do not eat with other people's spoons. Use only your own cutlery and do not share your dishes with other people.

Especially during influenza epidemics!!!

Do not exchange personal hygiene items, personal items with other people. Toothbrushes, towels, washcloths, combs, face wash sponges, nail scissors and nail files, razors, etc. - all this should be in use ONLY YOU!

The same applies to other things: clothes, mobile phone, shoes, etc. Be especially vigilant during epidemics, protect yourself!

• Eat lots of fresh raw food.

It doesn’t matter what kind of disease you want to protect yourself from: if you want to ALWAYS be healthy, then you need to eat a variety of foods that are rich in vitality. important vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

People who eat little raw food in the form of fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs feel worse and get sick much more often than those who have at least 60-65% of the total food intake every day. raw vegetables and fruits, berries and fresh herbs.

• Drink plenty of water.

Drinking plenty of clean fresh water is the key to a strong immune system and a clean body (water perfectly cleanses the body of toxins, viruses and bacteria).

Drink about two liters of water a day, and good health you are guaranteed!

If you feel that you are starting to get sick, immediately stop eating (stay one day without food, no matter how bad you feel) and increase the amount of water you drink. This method gives an almost complete guarantee that the disease will die out in the bud, without starting.

If you have delayed, and the symptoms have been felt for some time, or you have a weak initial immunity, then using this method, you are guaranteed to avoid complications after the disease, and the disease itself will pass much faster and easier than if you continued to eat as before , and drank the usual (usually small) amount of water.

• Always get enough sleep

Most likely, you had this: you didn’t sleep for two days in a row, and on the third day you got sick? This is not surprising: lack of sleep lowers the body's resistance to disease, the body becomes more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. If sleep deprivation is chronic, then most likely you will have big health troubles in the future. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day. This is the bare minimum these days!

• Try to reduce the amount of stress and learn to relax after a busy day.

Stress affects the immune system in the same way as sleep deprivation. Stress can be very serious blow on the immune system!

• Categorically give up alcohol and smoking!

As you know, drinking and smoking can lead to a huge number of health problems, and they exacerbate existing diseases.

There is no need to talk about any strong immunity among smokers and alcohol lovers. Be prudent!

• Lead Healthy Look Life, this is the BEST guarantee of your protection against diseases and viruses!

Get enough sleep, eat well, move a lot and walk on fresh air, go to the bath and temper, be moderate in everything, be grateful, and - most importantly! – look at life more positively and enjoy every day, every moment of your daily life!

Enjoy the little things: bright sun, blue sky, fresh wind- optimists get sick less often.

Hopefully now you will know how to protect yourself from flu and colds and other viruses.

Annual influenza epidemics, colds, from which many suffer with the onset of a cold period, can be prevented or slightly alleviated. Preventive measures are to strengthen the body and carry out preventive measures.

Instruction

1. Get vaccinated against influenza- This is the main preventive measure that will help protect yourself in the midst of an epidemic. It does not completely protect against the disease, but in case of infection with influenza in a vaccinated person, it proceeds much easier and without complications. Vaccination should be done before the onset of the epidemic and against the background of full health.
2. Be more in the fresh air - walks in the cold strengthen blood vessels, strengthen immune defense. It is most useful to walk in the forest and park area, and physical exercises in the fresh air enrich the body with oxygen and bring a double benefit.
3. Install optimal mode sleep and wakefulness - sleep at least 8 hours a day, go to bed no later than 22 hours, try to do everything during daylight hours and leave yourself time to relax in the evenings. Try to avoid stress that undermines the immune system, and do not overwork.
4. From good nutrition depends on the degree of body resistance - eat fresh fruits and vegetables, drink juices, bran bread, dairy products. Try to avoid stagnation in the intestines, clean it regularly and monitor the balance of microflora. Drink tea with lemon raspberry jam, viburnum - vitamin C contained in such drinks stimulates the immune system.
5. Reception of multivitamin complexes in winter and in early spring essential for keeping the body in good shape. Choose a balanced composition that meets your needs depending on lifestyle, activity, age, etc.
6. Use folk methods of prevention - eat onions and garlic, add them to fresh in first courses, salads, etc.
7. Monitor the condition of the nasal mucosa - in dry conditions, pathogens multiply rapidly. Humidify the air, drink more fluids, after visiting crowded places, irrigate the nasal mucosa with saline. Lubricate your nasal passages antiviral ointments before leaving home. Wash your hands often.
8. If possible, try to avoid crowded places during an epidemic. Wear a thick gauze bandage if visiting such places is unavoidable.

How to protect yourself from the autumn cold and not get sick

The transition period from winter to summer is a well-deserved record for the number of people who get sick with a cold or flu. At this time, there is a peak of ARVI, acute respiratory infections, influenza and tonsillitis. To avoid this, you should learn how not to get sick in the fall. There is nothing difficult in this: you need to take precautions, strengthen your immunity, dress according to the weather. In most cases, a cold occurs due to the negligence of the person himself.

How to reduce the risk of colds in the fall

There are many important factors. Will help:

1. Food. Scientists have proven that there is a relationship between what we eat and the risk of starting to get sick with a cold. For example, sweets attract microbes due to the high content of sucrose, which is a breeding ground for many microorganisms. Food with a high protein content has a protective effect: fish, cottage cheese, chicken. They do not like cold infections food high in iron (buckwheat, meat, pomegranate).
2. Feet are warm. More often, a cold occurs due to hypothermia that occurs in the legs. This condition is optimal for the development of a cold, so it is important to dress according to the weather so that the legs, head and hands are well insulated.
3. Wash your hands more often. They are constantly in contact with other objects on which the infection is located, which increases the risk of getting sick. During dangerous period the growth of colds, it is important to wash your hands regularly after a walk.
4. Rinse your nose and eyes. In order not to turn white with a cold, you should clear the path of infection into the body. It usually occurs through the respiratory organs (nose and mouth) or through the mucous membranes (eyes). For washing it is better to use sea water, isotonic solution salt. The procedure should be carried out 2-6 times a day.
5. Ventilate rooms. Fresh air tempers the human body, strengthens the immune system. Doctors advise to go out regularly, but do not forget to dress for the weather.
6. Cold and hot shower. A method of hardening and strengthening the immune system, which is recommended to protect against colds regularly, and not just in the fall.
7. Do sport. This is a way to strengthen the immune system, protect against colds. It helps to get rid of toxins and toxins, improve all metabolic processes in the body. It has been proven that those who play sports are much less likely to get colds.

How not to get infected from a patient

The danger of most colds in autumn period that the infection can be transmitted from person to person. If you do not know how not to get sick in the fall, strengthen your immune system, it is better to take measures to protect yourself from infection when communicating with other people. This problem is especially relevant for women who have recently become mothers: the baby does not yet have strong immunity. Also at risk of getting a cold are older children who attend school and communicate with a huge number of other people.

During pregnancy and lactation

Mom and newborn are a single whole not only on a spiritual level, but also in the matter of immunity. It is known that the baby receives protection from colds at first along with milk. The health and immunity of the baby is affected by the health of the mother, which should be worked on. During pregnancy and after childbirth, the following actions should be taken to protect against infection:

1. Vaccination. All girls, regardless of trimester, are encouraged to get regular vaccinations against common strains before epidemics of colds and flu. This should not be done if the pregnancy is less than 2 weeks. Modern vaccines do not harm the fetus or mother. You can also give injections while breastfeeding.
2. General strengthening of the body. Strong immunity of the mother - best advice how not to get a cold in the fall. To do this, you need to strengthen the defenses, stimulate the body's natural mechanisms to fight infections during pregnancy.
3. Prevention. It is necessary to exclude or minimize communication with sick people, do not use common objects with them, even if it is a husband. Do not visit during the epidemic of colds public places. If you are going to go out somewhere, you should wear a mask (to be replaced every 2 hours). You can lubricate the nasal mucosa with Oxolinic ointment.
4. Be sure to cover your face when interacting with your child, and keep tissues handy to use if you sneeze or cough.
5. You should breastfeed even if you have a cold and heat. Antibodies are passed along with milk to the baby, which fight infection.
6. Keep your distance if you are already sick. Do not lean too close to the child, do not kiss him on the lips, even on the forehead.
7. To reduce fever, as a rule, paracetamol is prescribed 4 times a day every 6 hours. It can be taken even by infants with colds. In the absence of temperature, you can steam your legs for the night, put on warm clothes and crawl under the covers.

To a small child

Recommendations on how not to get a cold in the fall for a schoolboy are no different from general rules. The immunity of older children and adolescents no longer depends on the mother, therefore, it needs the same precautions as for an adult. Dr. Komarovsky, famous pediatrician makes the following recommendations:

1. Warm clothing for the weather.
2. Food high in vitamins and protein. Less sweet.
3. Wash your hands often and ventilate the room, drink plenty of fluids.
4. Avoid contact with sick people.
5. If necessary, go to public places, wear a mask, lubricate the nose with Oxolinic ointment. After returning home, gargle.
6. General wellness procedures, regular exercise.

What to do if you feel like you are getting sick

It is necessary to start treatment for the disease at the first sign of a cold, it is impossible to delay it so as not to aggravate the condition. Symptoms of the disease will manifest as fever, stuffy nose (runny nose), sore throat, possibly in the ear. The person will feel lethargic and tired. Most medicines are designed to simply relieve the symptoms of a cold, but they do not always cure the ailment itself. In the worst case, the infection will spread, cause complications, and antibiotics will have to be taken.

Our body must cope with colds on its own, so it is important for a person not to do all the work for him, but to maintain immunity. To protect yourself from developing the flu or a cold, you need to quickly take protective measures:

1. Increase the amount of liquid consumed per day.
2. Eat natural remedies for colds: honey, garlic, onions. They are excellent antiviral, natural remedies from a cold.
3. on drink vitamin complex.

Methods for preventing influenza and SARS at home

The best advice on how not to get sick in a rainy autumn is prevention. It is wiser not to catch a cold at all than to treat the consequences. In addition to the methods listed above, there is much more that can be done to protect against the flu and colds. For more information on preventive actions:

• Get vaccinated. This is not a cure for the flu, but introducing a small dose of the virus into the body will cause our body to develop antibodies to it and effectively resist. Injections are performed according to the rules:

1. Vaccination is done once a year. After 12 months, the vaccine no longer works.
2. Begin to vaccinate at the age of 6 months and up to 65 years. After 65, as a rule, an injection of pneumococcal vaccine is given.
3. The injection site may ache a little - this is normal.
4. The vaccine may be distributed in the form of a spray. Its effectiveness is lower than that of vaccination.
5. There is no vaccine for the common cold. The best way protect yourself from the disease - follow the rules of hygiene, strengthen the immune system, drink a vitamin and mineral complex.

• Many people believe that alternative medicines help treat the flu or colds. As a rule, they take echinacea, vitamin C, zinc, but scientific evidence for their effectiveness is this moment no. At the same time, patients report following effects from these medicines for colds:

1. echinacea, when the first symptoms of a cold appear, reduces the severity of the common cold, its duration;
2. zinc is able to reduce the symptoms of a cold only on the 1st day of their appearance.

• Consume chicken bouillon. It's popular folk remedy really helps against colds positive influence on the body. If you start eating it at the first symptoms of the flu, it can help fight the infection or reduce its symptoms. The broth acts as an anti-inflammatory general tonic, relieves the body and gastrointestinal tract.
• Get more rest. To strengthen the immune system or fight against colds The body needs to get proper rest. Avoid going to school or work. You need to allocate at least 8 hours a day for sleep. Sleep in a place convenient for you, ventilate the room regularly.

Every year during the cold season, the number of people with colds and flu increases sharply. Catch some viral infection in a big city, among large cluster people can easily. It has even come to be taken as a self-evident and tolerable evil, and many infected people carelessly carry their disease on their feet, infecting dozens and hundreds of other people along the way. It is especially difficult to protect yourself from the flu for pregnant women, whose body works for two and is therefore more defenseless against viral attacks.

Instruction

1. One of the main sources of influenza infection is public transport - buses and subways. Any crowded places are potentially dangerous. Therefore, if you have such an opportunity, use your own car. And if there is no car, but the distance to your work is measured by only a few stops not too far apart, try walking. Walking in the fresh air will serve as one of the means of improving health.
2. If you can't avoid public transport or crowds, wash your hands, wipe your face, and clear your nostrils after traveling or interacting with people. In all open places of your body, droplets and dust particles with some kind of viral particles can remain.
3. In the event that you have to constantly use the subway and other modes of transport, it makes sense to get vaccinated against the flu. But keep in mind that vaccination at the beginning pregnancy Not recommended. It can be carried out only after the 14th week. Protection against the virus then appears after another two to four weeks. Therefore, take care of the vaccination not during an epidemic, but in advance and only after consulting a doctor who can advise which vaccine is best to use.
4. You can prevent infection with certain types of viral infections by using oxolinic ointment and preparations with interferon. If you are advised to use any other chemicals, do not rush to follow such advice before consulting with your doctor. They can be dangerous for you and the unborn child.
5. You can strengthen your immunity by using vitamin complexes for pregnant women, as well as natural "antiviruses" - fresh vegetables, fruits and juices. Ask your doctor to advise you on drugs that increase immunity against viral diseases. But we should also not forget about such widely known effective remedies as lemons, onions and garlic. They should always be in your diet.
6. To some extent, a disposable mask or gauze bandage can help protect against infection. But it must be truly disposable: after using it when exiting the subway or bus, throw it in the trash, otherwise it will itself become a source of infection.
7. If you have sick people at work or at home, try to isolate yourself from them as much as possible. Use only your own dishes, separate towels and soap, wipe door handles, switches, etc. The room should be clean, dirty things and, especially, handkerchiefs, should be washed as quickly as possible.
8. In order not to catch a cold or get sick, dress according to the weather. You should not go out during frosts in thin tights and without a hat. But also one should not wrap up excessively, allowing the body to overheat and sweat profusely.
9. If an influenza epidemic has begun, and you have the opportunity to change the situation for a while, do it - go to the village to relatives or to the country.

With the onset of the cold season, the question of how to protect your child from the flu becomes relevant. Of course, no one wants to get sick, but adults are still less susceptible to virus attacks than small children, whose immunity is still very weak, as it is not fully formed.

How to protect children from flu and colds?

The most effective remedy that can protect a baby from influenza by 70-90% is vaccination. Unfortunately, if a child is vaccinated with a vaccine of one strain, and then an epidemic of another suddenly begins, which was not expected, then protection from such vaccination will be zero. So you have to protect yourself from the disease in other ways.

Such a remedy as Oksolin ointment is quite popular. Going out into the street, it lubricates the nasal passages of the child, thereby blocking access to the mucosa, through which microbes penetrate.

Do not forget about such a simple procedure as regular hand washing with soap and water. When you get home, you can also rinse your child's nose and drip saline into it. Older children can be given an antiseptic gel with them, which can be used to clean their hands several times a day.

How to protect a one-year-old child from the flu virus?

A well-known Kharkov pediatrician, who is listened to and trusted by thousands of young mothers, Yevgeny Komarovsky, knows effective ways to protect a child from the flu. These are banal and familiar methods that are often undeservedly ignored:

1. Vaccination or vaccination- the answer to the question of how to protect a child from the flu, without it, all methods will only additional actions. But famous doctor does not recommend vaccinating children who do not yet attend Kindergarten due to the weakness of the immune system and possible adverse reaction organism. It is better to get vaccinated for family members and everyone who comes into contact with the baby, so as not to become a carrier of the infection.
2. In the room where the baby is daily wet cleaning.
3. Humidity in the house should be at least 60% and then the baby's mucous membrane will not dry out and will not become a good soil for microbes to enter.

In addition, the doctor advises preventive purpose give your child plenty of fluids- tea, juices, compotes, as well as observe the correct temperature regime in room. That is, in the room where the baby is, the thermometer should show a mark of 19-20 ° C, no more.

Why is the flu virus dangerous?

The main danger of the disease is severe complications, which it gives mainly to the lungs (pneumonia) and ears ( acute otitis media). Inflammation of the lungs, which the flu can develop into, is difficult to treat and can even lead to lethal outcome. And inflammation of the middle ear leads to damage to the meninges (meningitis).

Of course, the likelihood of complications with the common flu is low, especially if you follow bed rest and doctor's prescriptions. What can not be said about the H1N1 strain - the swine flu virus, which is especially dangerous for a child, since it is impossible to protect yourself from it with the help of vaccination - there is simply no such vaccine. This disease is extremely difficult in children under three years of age, and therefore during the epidemic it is better to reduce contact with people to nothing.

Methods of infection

In order for children to protect themselves from the flu, they need to know how it spreads and is transmitted from person to person. Parents themselves need to clearly understand this and with early age tell your children to give them the necessary knowledge about how to protect against an insidious disease.

Like all viruses, influenza is volatile - that is, it is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets. A sick person releases microparticles when sneezing, coughing, and even when talking. Microbes getting into respiratory system a nearby person, immediately, under favorable conditions, begin to actively multiply.

In addition to the airborne method of transmission of the virus, there is also contact. That is, the patient, touching with dirty hands the door handles, buttons in the elevator, handrails in the bus and subway, leaves microparticles of infected saliva on these objects. The sick person touches his face countless times while sneezing, wipes his nose, and covers his mouth when coughing, which means that there is great amount dangerous microorganisms.

But in an open place, that is, outside the room, the virus quickly disappears with air currents, losing concentration. Thus, during an epidemic, walking the streets is not scary, but visiting crowded places - supermarkets, pharmacies, schools, going to public transport very unsafe.

How can parents protect their children from the flu?

Many parents winter time associated not only with new year holidays, but with such dangerous disease like the flu. How to protect your child from the flu? This issue becomes important for every family. When the outside temperature drops below 20°C, families, especially those with small children, frantically search for ways to protect them from the flu and its consequences.

Influenza virus is dangerous and very insidious disease which does not spare even the smallest children. Its consequences are especially dangerous.

flu danger

Influenza is an acute viral disease that affects children of different age category, accompanied by general intoxication of the body, catarrhal phenomena, such as rhinitis, runny nose and severe cough. The flu is especially dangerous for babies. Every year, medical statistics show how many children die from this terrible disease.

Pathogen this disease is an influenza virus that is transmitted by airborne droplets when coughing, sneezing, and even talking and shaking hands. The first signs of the disease begin very quickly and intensely. Incubation period is lasting from 2 to 6 days. How difficult the flu is, depends on many factors: age, immune status, general health.

most great danger the flu hides in itself when it hits of cardio-vascular system the child, his respiratory organs, as well as the central nervous system. Having attacked the body, it sharply and quite strongly reduces its protective properties, which causes a number of dangerous and intractable complications for the child. High probability children with chronic diseases can receive them. This virus is especially dangerous for a newborn baby and his nursing mother.

flu symptoms

Symptoms of the flu virus in children infancy and older children are different. The main symptoms are high body temperature, general malaise, joint and muscle pain, headache, intense cough, runny nose, dryness of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Sometimes children have diarrhea and vomiting, there is blood from the nose.

Infants are characterized by such symptoms of the disease as:

• loss of appetite;
• change in the frequency of stool (it happens more often or less often);
• tearful and irritable state;
• change in skin and hair odor;
• restless sleep;
• hoarse breathing;
• inhibition in development.

The danger of this disease in infants is much higher, due to the fact that the baby cannot clearly describe his condition, say what and where he hurts. Moms can only be guided by the diagnosis that the pediatrician conducts. He prescribes an examination and a series of blood and urine tests that can determine that it is the flu, and not SARS or acute respiratory infections.

To protect your child from the flu, when the first signs of a cold appear: high fever, weakness and severe cough- treatment should be started immediately, but only after examination and appointment by a doctor. The flu is not a disease that can be cured on its own. Self-medication can lead to dire consequences.

Causes of the disease

The flu is most dangerous for a newborn baby in the first four months of life. Children who are breastfed can overcome the disease in its first stages on their own thanks to the antibodies present in mother's milk. The immunity of infants who are on artificial feeding, much weaker. Every year, the influenza virus mutates, its course passes with more serious complications, therefore, in the first months of a baby’s life, it is worth reducing its contact with others to a minimum, especially in winter.

Most often, parents of children have to deal with catarrhal conditions of their child during the first three years of life. The reason may be climatic conditions, dampness, contact with sick children and many other factors. If a child attends a children's institution, the incidence in this case occurs more often than in children who are at home.

The fault is not only the fact that some unscrupulous parents bring their babies with signs of a cold. good conditions for the emergence of the influenza virus in childhood preschool are insufficient ventilation of the premises in winter, dryness of the premises from centralized heating, which makes it possible for pathogenic microorganisms to multiply. Big delusion, especially among young mothers, is the opinion that the flu can begin due to drafts or hypothermia of the legs.

Treating people with the flu

Often, young mothers begin to fight the disease, bringing down the fever, without thinking about the fact that this is a manifestation of the protective properties of the child's body. At temperatures up to 38 ° C, it is not recommended to give medicine to children. It is much more effective to drink them with a warm decoction of herbs or dried fruits. This is one of the most effective ways to remove dangerous toxins from the body at the first sign of malaise.

Over time, every mother begins to understand how to protect her child from the flu in the early stages of this dangerous disease.

There are several generally accepted rules that parents adhere to when symptoms of the disease appear:

1. Often ventilate the room in which the baby is located, carry out wet cleaning with a disinfectant solution (soda or a chlorine-free product).
2. It is necessary to bring down the temperature only at a mark of more than 38 ° C and the first signs of febrile convulsions appear.
3. Increase your baby's sleep.
4. Limit contact with others.
5. Transfer the child to a special diet.
6. Give plenty of fluids.
7. Regularly clean the baby's intestines, especially with constipation.
8. Conduct breathing exercises and water treatments.
9. Massage feet, hands, back at temperatures up to 38.5 ° C.
10. Give cough and cold medicines, alternating them every two hours.
11. Transfer to strict bed rest.

If the child has a temperature up to 40 ° C, you need to call a doctor, and before he arrives, provide the baby with plentiful drink. We must not forget that at a very high temperature, any thermal procedures, the intake of solid food are prohibited. If the baby is hot, it can be dressed lightly, if it is cold - warmer. In any case, he should be under a blanket in a room with fresh air.

When enough severe symptoms Influenza diseases in children are attributed to inhalations, compresses and wraps, the use of children's antipyretics according to the age of the baby, the introduction of vitamin preparations that increase immunity.

Since the flu negatively affects the state of the respiratory tract, frequent airing and wet cleaning will help strengthen the child's immunity, protect his nose and throat from the penetration of harmful viral bacteria. When caring for a baby, parents should always wear a gauze bandage, and since the virus is transmitted through dirty hands, follow the rules of personal hygiene and wash their hands often. Balanced diet together with measures to strengthen immunity and correct healing procedures help to quickly overcome the disease.

Flu Prevention

So that the health of the baby does not have to be protected from an already existing disease, parents should think about how to prevent its occurrence. by the most in an efficient way is to take preventive measures.

The nose, mouth, and hands are prime breeding sites for infections, so frequent washing hands, washing with cold water will help to temper and protect the child.

During the winter exacerbation of diseases with the influenza virus, oxolinic ointment will help, which is lubricated with the nasal mucosa for prevention before going outside. Sufficient sleep (at least 10 hours) and the use of large amounts of vitamins will help strengthen the child's body. Summer - best time for hardening, and the sun, air and water are the constant friends of the child.

If we properly protect our child from external negative factors, we correct image life, we carry out preventive measures, then we can safely hope that he is not afraid of the flu.

How can a pregnant woman protect herself from the flu?

With the onset of the cold season, many people are faced with seasonal viral diseases - influenza and SARS. During the period of bearing a baby, any ailment causes anxiety in the expectant mother, because we are talking not only about her health, but also about the future of the baby. How a pregnant woman can protect herself from the flu so as not to harm her condition is a question that every woman should study, because it is better to take precautions than to get sick with this disease.

How to protect yourself from the flu during pregnancy?

Whoever says what, but all doctors agree that it is better not to get sick with the flu while carrying a baby. And this is due not only to the serious symptoms of the disease, but also to the complications that this disease can cause. There are three ways that a pregnant woman can protect herself from the flu, which can be divided into the following categories:

1. Vaccination. To date, vaccination is considered the most reliable way to fight against infection with the flu. However, it is worth remembering that you need to be vaccinated not at the height of the epidemic, but earlier, approximately 4 weeks before possible start diseases. In addition, this method is only suitable for those expectant mothers whose gestational age has crossed the line of 14 weeks. Therefore, if you have decided that it is better to get vaccinated than to be afraid of infection all winter, then choose imported medicines: Begrivak, Influvak, Vaksigripp, etc. They do not contain hazardous components.
2. Medical prevention. The main drugs that doctors recommend using in order to protect against influenza during pregnancy are both interferon products and Okoslin ointment. The latter has a pronounced antiviral effect and is one of the most safe means during pregnancy. It is applied to the nasal passages 2 times a day. Interferon can be found in medicinal product Viferon, which is available in suppositories and gel. Rectal suppositories can be used from the 14th week of pregnancy, 1 suppository twice a day for 5 days. The gel will help protect a pregnant woman from flu both in the 1st trimester and in the next, and it can be used enough long time. The scheme of application for him is the same as for Okoslin ointment: 2 times a day.
3. General prevention. In order to protect a pregnant woman from the flu, she needs to carry out both activities aimed at maximum protection her body from external carriers of the disease, and to strengthen the immune system. To do this, doctors recommend following these rules:
   • wash your hands regularly with soap;
   • every day rinse your feet with water at room temperature;
   • do gymnastics for pregnant women;
   • walk every day for more than 2 hours in the fresh air (with the exception of places with a large crowd of people);
   • sleep well and eliminate stress;
   • introduce a vitamin complex into your diet, but it is better to make a menu in which 50% will be occupied by fresh fruits and vegetables;
   • if there is no allergy, do aroma sessions once a day, where you can breathe in tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus, pine, etc. oils.
   • ventilate the room and arrange wet cleaning once a day.

How to protect a pregnant woman from the flu if one of the family members falls ill?

However, the most difficult moment is the one that forces the future mother to face carriers of the virus every day. In this case, doctors recommend that you always use medical masks or cotton-gauze bandages, and also do not forget about ointments that can be applied to the nose. In addition, it is necessary to carefully monitor the hygiene of family members: the sick person must have separate dishes, a towel, a separate bed, etc., because this virus is very contagious.

So, our recommendations will help a pregnant woman protect herself from both the flu and the common cold, because it is not difficult to follow them. Remember that it is better to breathe a little aroma oils and walk around in a mask than to lie down for a week with a high temperature and worry about your baby.

During pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases. This is due to the fact that the defensive forces tend to reject foreign body from the body. Suppression of their activity is necessary for the pregnancy to develop safely. Of course, in such conditions, the risk of catching a viral infection is significantly increased.

Instruction

1. Try to avoid crowds. If possible, refuse to travel by public transport - at least for short distances. Walking in and of itself is very beneficial and will help you avoid contact with virus and bacillus carriers.
2. Before going out, lubricate the nasal mucosa oxolinic ointment. If you work in a large team, wear a gauze bandage during outbreaks of viral diseases at work. This bandage will not interfere at home either, since your relatives and friends can bring the infection.
3. Dress according to the weather - don't wrap yourself too much and in no case follow the bad fashion, according to which, in any frost, you need to go out without a hat, in a short jacket and transparent tights.
4. When you return from the street, wash your hands immediately. As a disease prevention, it is very useful to rinse the nose. In glass warm water dissolve a teaspoon of salt and draw in this liquid alternately with both nostrils. This procedure is practiced by yogis, who have long become a symbol of health and endurance.
5. Ideally, you want to draw water in one nostril and out the other, but this will work out after a few workouts. At first, it will be enough to spit out the salt water after it has passed through the nasopharynx. This washing will help you get rid of a runny nose very quickly even if you still get sick.
6. Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, as well as freshly squeezed juices. Sprouted grains of wheat, rye, oats and other cereals are very useful. Take them every morning, one tablespoon - this way you will strengthen the health of both yours and your baby. pharmacy vitamin preparations take only as directed by a doctor - hypervitaminosis is as dangerous as beriberi.
7. Avoid stress - they not only adversely affect the course of pregnancy, but also undermine the already weakened immune system. This recommendation is particularly difficult to implement because, due to increased hormonal background pregnant women have an exacerbated reaction to unpleasant circumstances. Try to master different methods relaxation that will allow you not to dwell on negative experiences.
8. If you feel signs of illness, do not take medicines on the advice of friends - many drugs can have a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. Do not steam your legs or take hot baths to get rid of colds- this can lead to miscarriage. In addition, such procedures contribute to the expansion of the veins in the legs and increase the load on the heart.
9. Better warm up hot water hands if you feel chills. Dilute one teaspoon of salt and soda in a glass of warm water, add a couple of drops of iodine and gargle. Enlarged painful tonsils can be lubricated with tea tree oil - very carefully so that this remedy does not get on the root of the tongue.
10. If home remedies don't help, see your doctor, just be sure to let him or her know that you're pregnant. Then he will prescribe those medicines that will not harm your unborn baby.