COLD, FLU, AND SINUS
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Allergy-Proof Your Life
These easy, non-prescription remedies can help ease soreness and scratchine...
These easy, non-prescription remedies can help ease soreness and scratchiness fast.
![cold flu survival](https://cdn-img.health.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium_2x/public/styles/main/public/gettyimages-135559534_copy.jpg?itok=tof5YKu4 "Each year, the typical adult can expect to contract two or three colds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skip the annual flu vaccine and you set yourself up for a bout of that as well. But it doesn't have to be this way! Aside from good hand washing (with soap, for at least 20 seconds), "there's a lot you can do to drastically cut your risk of getting sick," says Holly Phillips, MD, a general internist in New York City. "And even if you do catch a bug, you may be able to cut short the duration of your illness." Arm yourself with these tips from the experts, and make this cold and flu season your healthiest yet.
RELATED: 20 Surprising Ways to Prevent Colds and Flu")
Cold, Flu, and Sinus
<p>Sick days? No way! Fight off seasonal sniffles with these expert-approve...
Sick days? No way! Fight off seasonal sniffles with these expert-approved prevention and get-well strategies, from acupressure to zinc.
Cold, Flu, and Sinus
<p>When you have a cold, it can be hard to sort through the dizzying array ...
When you have a cold, it can be hard to sort through the dizzying array of over-the-counter cold medications. Here’s a guide to cold medications for adults (not kids!).
![what-to-eat-if-you-have-cold](https://cdn-img.health.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium_2x/public/styles/main/public/149286040.jpg?itok=M6Os0Ykp "They say you are what you eat, so it makes sense that eating healthy foods can help you stay, er, healthy.
"You can't underestimate the importance of good nutrition when it comes to...your immune system," says Karen Ansel, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants—these are what keeps your body strong, and without them you're not giving your body the edge it needs to ward off infection."
And we're not talking just fruits and vegetables: Foods from every food group are represented here. Make them a part of your diet for your best defense against colds and flu.
Watch the video: Top 10 Foods for Preventing Cold & Flu
RELATED: Best and Worst Exercises to Do When You Have a Cold")
Cold, Flu, and Sinus
<p>Trying to avoid colds and flu? From oysters to sweet potatoes, these foo...
Trying to avoid colds and flu? From oysters to sweet potatoes, these foods can help.
Cold, Flu, and Sinus
Is it just a cold, or something else? Doctors explain how to tell if you ha...
Is it just a cold, or something else? Doctors explain how to tell if you have the common cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono.
![flushot](https://cdn-img.health.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium_2x/public/styles/main/public/gettyimages-155301667.jpg?itok=9Zzonk5w "No, you can't. Really. This longstanding rumor just won't die no matter how often experts debunk it. "The flu vaccine is made with dead viral particles, and since the virus is not living, it can't infect you," explains Holly Phillips, M.D., a New York City internist and WCBS News medical contributor. The nasal-spray version of the vaccine, called the FluMist, (which is FDA-approved for kids and adults between ages two and 49 who are healthy and not pregnant) does contain a crippled version of live flu virus. However, it still can't make you sick, says Dr. Phillips. This misconception may stem from the fact that it takes 2 weeks for your body to form antibodies to the vaccine and fully protect you. So if you pick up a cold or the flu before or just after rolling up your sleeve, don't blame your runny nose and sore throat on the shot.")
Cold, Flu, and Sinus
<p>Isn't it time to get a clue about the flu? Stay informed and make th...
Isn't it time to get a clue about the flu? Stay informed and make this your healthiest flu season yet.
