Takes Steps to Avoid That Holiday Cold or Flu

During the holiday season, normal schedules and habits get tossed out the window because of all the parties and family get-togethers to attend. Meals are often irregular, and holiday cookies are often irresistible. People spend more time indoors, and stress levels can rise as a result of trying to meet all sorts of obligations.

In short, immune systems become compromised, and colds and flu often strike.

The best way to keep colds and flu away are to eat healthy, avoid sugar, get enough sleep and avoid people who are sick, said .

"We think of colds and flu as seasonal, but it has nothing to do with the weather," Dr. Saran said. "In temperate climates, colds and flu are year-round."

When people are indoors more often, they're more likely to pass their germs on to others. Also, there is more traveling during the holidays, and with people in confined spaces, they're more likely to come in contact with the viruses that cause colds and flu, Dr. Saran said.

Colds and flu are infectious diseases, he said. A cold is caused by hundreds of different viruses, not just one. Influenza also is caused by several influenza viruses, including influenza A and B, which are respiratory. Stomach flu is different from influenza, and it usually lasts 24 to 48 hours.

"Stress knocks the immune system down and sugar knocks down the immune system," Dr. Saran said.

The best ways keep the immune system strong are to get enough sleep, maintain a proper diet—eating plenty of fruits and vegetables—wash hands regularly and avoid people who are coughing, he said.

Gina Ramsey is a mom of two daughters, ages 5 and 7. Her entire family came down with stomach flu, but only one daughter caught a cough and a cold.

"This has actually been an easier year than the past two," Ramsey said.

Ramsey has some experience in trying to protect her girls from colds and the flu.

"I try to feed them healthy, unprocessed, natural foods as much as possible and make sure that they wash their hands regularly, keep warm and get plenty of sleep," she said.

And for remedies? "I just use Motrin and cough syrup," she said.

Sometimes it's hard to know when a cold is no longer just a cold and has turned into something requiring a visit to the doctor. Here are some pointers:

Signs of a Common Cold:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Mild cough

Signs That it Might Be More Than a Cold:

Dr. Saran says a cold might be something more serious, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, when:

• The symptoms last longer than four or five days.
• There is a fever. Fever with a common cold is rare. A fever along with the other symptoms could mean it's the flu or the illness is moving into pneumonia.
• There's a severe cough. With a common cold, a cough usually is mild. When it's unrelenting and/or producing phlegm, it might be turning into pneumonia or bronchitis.
• There's shortness of breath—when you can't breathe through your mouth or you're wheezing.

Signs of the Flu:

• Headache
• Fever
• Body aches
• Neck stiffness (though neck stiffness could be a sign of meningitis)
• Trouble getting out of bed

Dr. Saran said that getting a flu shot is still an option now, but it won't be in a few weeks. It's expected that influenza will hit hard in January; Dr. Saran diagnosed his first case last week. It takes a few weeks for the vaccine to take effect, so those who haven't received a shot are advised to get one as soon as possible.

"This year there is one vaccine that includes a vaccine for the swine flu," Dr. Saran said. "Normally we say it's better late than never. But right now it is: 'now or never.' "