Chase away the winter cold

With winter here in full force, many South Africans are plagued by colds.

Apart from wrapping yourself up in a warm scarf and getting your daily vitamin C fix, here’s what you can do to protect yourself (and those around you).

Take action:

wash your hands often, especially when you’re around people with colds
stop smoking – smoking irritates the mucous membranes of the nose, sinuses and lungs, which may make them more susceptible to infections
keep your stress levels under control – if you’re exposed to cold viruses, a high level of stress may increase your chances of catching a cold 
when you have a cold, avoid sneezing without covering your mouth (also avoid spreading nasal secretions on your hands) 
use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief.

Read more:

Cold meds - what you need to know
Chase away a winter cold
Is it a cold, or is it the flu?