Resisting cold and 'flu

"I opened the door, and in-flu-Enza" is not a statement that you hear too often these days, but it was widely used in England until a few years ago.  Cold and influenza ('flu) are nasty and very debilitating, and certainly the last thing you want to be dealing with on arriving in a new country where you need to work.  There are always jobs to be had for anyone who really wants to work, but many of these jobs are the least popular because of either the working hours, low wages, or both.  Many of them involve working with food or doing caring work, both of which is a big NO for anyone carrying and spreading a virus.

My first UK winter was very depressing for me.  It was not just cold, it was dark and seemed very damp all of the time.  The houses are quite tall, mostly double story at least, and the older ones have high ceilings which means the buildings stand even taller than standard ones elsewhere.  The end result if that sunlight is very scarce in winter due to the long shadows and the short daylight hours.  The morning and the evenings can be dreadfully cold, and the hours in between do not offer much relief.

Antibiotics have been in the news lately.  They have become less and less effective, this has become an accepted fact by scientists as well as the UK governement.  The reasons for this vary from them being over prescribed by GPs and the bugs then mutating, to the claim that everything we eat other than rare organic food has been medicated in some way - Either by pesticides or by antibiotics, mainly to force higher production.  The purpose of this article is not to decide or study why colds and 'flu are so nasty, but rather to let you know that I sympathise, and to consider some steps that you might decide are right for you - Something that you think might help build your immunity to keep these illnesses away.

Vaccination :


Viruses do mutate, but some people swear that having the 'flu jab keeps them well.  It is debatable, and there are probably just as many people who say believe that have the vaccination makes them ill.  The world was saved by the human cold virus in H G Wells' novel War of the Worlds, so it is clear that this common cold phenomenon has invaded human thoughts for many years, and it remains a lively topic of discussion still today.  If you support the 'flu vaccine, then it could be worth calling your GP.  It is being rolled out to many people free of charge, although the criteria for this do change.  Safest way to check is to call in and see what the current policies are.  If you or anyone in your family is young, old, pregnant or have chronic health issues then do mention this to your GP surgery.  Don't worry if you are scared of the needle, there are some needle-free vaccines available now if you feel that you want "the jab".

Keep warm:


Keep your head and your feet warm.  Most body heat is lost through the head and feet, and temperature fluctuations may not cause colds and 'flu, but they do seem to lower the immune system and make the body more susceptible to viruses.

Ventilation:


It can be very tempting to close out all cold air, but be very cautious with this.  Ventilation is required to avoid the spreading of infectious disease, so do ensure that some fresh clean air can circulate your home and where you work.

Eat well:

This does not mean you have to spend lots of money on luxury foods.  Immune building foods are often very cheap, and often green vegetables are as high in vitamin C as the more pricey citrus fruits especially when they are out of season.  Cabbage is one of the cheapest vegetables around, yet is contains lots of antioxidants, and often provides more vitamin C than oranges.  Most vegetables are more nutritious when eaten nearly raw, and cabbage is no exception.

Quit smoking:

Cigarettes are taxed to the hilt in the UK.  Smoking is mostly regarded as an antisocial habit in the UK due to government funded campaigns and the fact that it smells bad.  Rooms are less airy in winter because windows are closed to keep warm air in, and smoking is not tolerated indoors.  Smoking might not cause colds and 'flu, but it does increase the changes of secondary infections setting in.  Smoking outdoors increases exposure to the cold.

Hydrate:

If you are from a warmer climate, you might cut your fluid intake without realising it.  My husband used to drink 2l of water daily at work when we lived abroad, but this stopped after moving to the UK.  Your body needs fluid, ideally water, to stay healthy.  Knowing this could help you to avoid making the same mistake.

Stay active:

The chilly days and nights make people want to spend every possible moment either tucked up in bed, or under a balnket on the sofa.  In order to keep fit, you do need to keep moving.  Wrap up in layers of clothing, invest in some good walking shoes and get outdoors.  Just a 20 minute walk will help to keep your body in good condition and keep healthy enough to fight off illness.

Wash your hands:

Germs spread by contact.  Wash your hands and encourage your family to do the same.  Be aware that not everybody is careful about this, so be careful after touching things that others touch often.  Door handles, bus railings, the arms of chairs, and store counters are all high contact areas.  Avoid touching these where you can, and wash your hands after to avoid spreading the germs whenever practical.











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