from Reader´s Digest
Staying Healthy Tips from Vicks®
Handwashing and Cleaning Tips
• Clean Counts
Get into the habit of cleaning stuff you share with others, such as computer keyboards, phones, remote controls, countertops, etc. And remember—germs love money as much as we do, so wash your hands after those ATM pit stops.
• Hand-Washing 101
Hand washing is so important that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made official guidelines! They advise people to use soap and warm water while scrubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean Your Humidifier
During the winter months you should clean your humidifier every three days and change the water every day.
• Only Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you only use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The Mayo Clinic takes it a step further by saying that if the sanitizer doesn't contain alcohol, you should avoid it altogether and instead use soap and warm water.
• Only Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you only use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The Mayo Clinic takes it a step further by saying that if the sanitizer doesn't contain alcohol, you should avoid it altogether and instead use soap and warm water.
• Know When to Wash Your Hands
To prevent the spread of cold and flu germs, wash your hands at the following times: after petting an animal or using any gym equipment, as well as before and after eating, treating a cut, removing your contacts, and touching doors in high-traffic areas.
• Good Old Soap
Antibacterial soaps are convenient and certainly have their place, but they're no more effective than regular soap at killing germs. So feel free to use good old-fashioned soap and water in addition to hand sanitizer.
Staying Healthy Tips
• Sleep It Off
Not getting enough sleep decreases your immune system's ability to fight off a cold. So try to get a consistent six to eight hours of sleep every night.
• Winter Doesn't Make You Sick
Cold weather doesn't give you a cold. What really causes more sickness in the winter months is the increased amount of time we spend breathing germ-infested air indoors.
• Use Antibiotics Sparingly
Unless you're diagnosed with an infection, avoid using antibiotics for cold or flu symptoms. For one, too-liberal use of antibiotics can give rise to antibiotic-resistant germs. And there's always the risk of unpleasant side effects.
• Fight Off Airplane Germs
Keep germs at bay by washing your hands often (here's where a bottle of hand sanitizer can come in real handy). And be sure to drink lots of water to combat the super-dry pressurized air.
Healthy Expectations Tips
• We Get Well Gradually
Generally speaking, a normal cold or flu lasts around five to seven days. If you don't start to feel better after a week, experts recommend you seek medical attention. Otherwise, over-the-counter medications should work just fine.
• Know Your Sick Days
It's not fair, but women average six bed-sick days a year. Men average four. Regardless, we're not alone in our misery. Every year, Americans report 1 billion colds and miss more than 50 million workdays and 60 million schooldays as a result.
• Get to Know Your Fever
The University of Michigan Health System rates any fever from 100° F to 104° F as beneficial. Fevers ranging from 105° F to 107° F also are considered beneficial, but should be monitored due to higher risks of bacterial infections. Any fever greater than 107° F should be treated by a medical professional.
Sore Throat Tips
• Gargle Salt Water
Not only can gargling salt water soothe and moisturize your throat, but it also can kill harmful bacteria. Just be careful not to swallow.
• Drink Licorice Tea
You might be able to soothe your throat and make coughs more productive with licorice-root tea. Traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine, licorice root can make it easier to cough up mucus and clear your chest.
Runny Nose/Sneezing Tips
• Sneeze Your Way to Health
A good sneeze can kick irritants, and even some infections, out of your nasal passageways at speeds of 100mph or more. Never try to stop a sneeze! Your nose and your body will thank you.
• Blow Your Nose Correctly
A University of Virginia study found that improper nose blowing can damage your hearing. So be sure to blow both nostrils at the same time. Blowing hard, especially through one nostril, is an absolute no-no.
• There's No Need to Overclean
When kids are sniffling, it's smart to keep common areas clean, but don't work too hard. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease found that rhinoviruses (cold germs) can only survive a maximum of three hours on inanimate objects and human skin.
Head Congestion Tips
• Spice It Up to Clear Your Head
Bring on the cayenne! Eating spicy foods can make your nose run, and that's good. A runny nose helps break up congestion and remove irritants.
• Elevate Your Head to Ease Congestion
To ease head congestion while you sleep, slightly elevate your head by using additional pillows. The increased angle will help drain your head and relieve sinus pressure.
• Drink Water; Ease Sinus Pressure
Keep a bottle of water with you wherever you go and take sips throughout the day. The extra hydration will keep your nose moist and help you breathe and rest easier.
• Love That Shower Steam
Sometimes the best way to care for a stuffed-up, achy child is to simply run a hot bath or shower for him. The warm vapors can loosen mucus, clear his head, and make it easier for him to breathe.
• Relieve Infant Sinus Pressure
Next time your child is all clogged up, sit her in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes to promote positive drainage (out the nose, instead of down the throat). Sometimes, especially when her cold's not too bad, this can be a simple and effective way to clear her sinuses.
Cough Tips
• Know When to See a Doctor
Rule of thumb: If your phlegm is yellow or green, you should go to the doctor because you probably have an infection.
• Know Your Cough
An acute cough lasts less than three weeks and is usually a symptom of the common cold. Only acute coughs should be self-treated. If you've been coughing longer than seven days, ask your doctor for advice.
• Honey Soothes
For temporary relief of a minor cough, sometimes honey does the trick. A 2007 study by Pennsylvania State University found that buckwheat honey works as a natural cough suppressant. However, honey is not recommended for children younger than 2.
• Avoid All Cigarette Smoke
A 2007 Yale School of Medicine study found that the combination of cigarette smoke (even secondhand) and the flu virus can cause significant, even permanent, lung damage.
• Cough Effectively
A common cold symptom is excessive mucus in the chest and lungs. To remove this mucus effectively, National Jewish Healthâ„¢ recommends a deep coughing technique. Start by taking a deep breath and holding it for two to three seconds. Then use your stomach muscles to breathe out aggressively. Try to avoid short coughs or throat clearing. If done correctly, it's possible to make your coughs more productive.
Chest Congestion Tips
• Replace Your Toothbrush
If your chest feels congested or if your throat is sore, your toothbrush might be the culprit. Bacteria can form on the bristles and make you sick. So replace your toothbrush at the beginning, middle, and end of an illness.
• Take Your Cold to the Sauna
If it feels like you're coming down with a cold, sit in a sauna for 15 to 20 minutes. Studies have found that the act of sweating helps remove toxins from your body, which could include cold and flu germs.
Fever Tips
• Fluids Fight Fever
When you're fighting a fever, try drinking at least 2 to 3 additional ounces of fluid every hour. Water or non-carbonated sports drinks work best. And remember, even if you're not sweating, you still can get dehydrated, which will weaken your immune system and prolong a fever.
• Feed a Fever
Flu symptoms often include a high fever, which can raise your metabolism by 7 percent for every degree greater than 98.6° F. Your body needs food to fuel your immune system, so if you have a fever, try to eat slightly more to stay on the road to recovery.
• Slight Fever? Don't Panic
A Washington University study found that within a 24-hour cycle, it's normal for your core body temperature to lower or rise from the average 98.6° F. So if the thermometer reads a little high (or low), it doesn't necessarily mean you have a cold or flu virus.
• Exercise with a Cold, but Not the Flu
The National Institutes of Health say that, for the most part, it's OK to exercise even if you have a cold. The simple act of sweating helps expel harmful germs. But don't push yourself too hard, especially if you have a fever.
Aches and Pains Tips
• Relieve Aches and Pains with Olive Oil
Based on research published in Nature magazine, olive oil might be a natural treatment for aches and pains. Researchers found that adding 1.75 ounces of olive oil to your daily diet has anti-inflammatory properties equal to about 10 percent of a normal adult dose of ibuprofen. While this might seem small, over time, the medicinal properties could build up to measurably reduce inflammatory pain.
• Use the Right Pain Reliever
There are two primary pain relievers on the market today—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, relieve pain by reducing inflammation, making them well-suited for muscle aches, while acetaminophen blocks pain signals, which is ideal for general headaches and fever pain.
General Cold Care Tips
• Practice Proper Thermometer Care
Cleaning a glass thermometer with hot or even just warm water can cause an inaccurate reading. It's always best to use cool water.
• Mom Was Right About Chicken Soup
When you have a cold or flu, chicken soup actually can help you get better. A study conducted by the American College of Chest Physicians® shows that chicken soup reduces respiratory inflammation caused by colds and the flu.
• Feeling Sick? Don't Spread It
As a general rule, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that a flu virus is contagious from one day prior to showing symptoms to five days after the first symptoms have developed. If you have a weakened immune system or are older than 65, you could be contagious for more than seven days.
• Drink Chamomile Tea
According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, chamomile tea contains plant-based compounds that might fight infections due to colds. So the next time you get a cold, drink a few cups to aid your recovery.
• Decrease Stress
Studies show that elevated levels of stress reduce the number of T cells in your body. You need T cells to keep your immune system strong. So if you're feeling under the weather, take it easy. Doctor's orders!
• The Power of Zinc
A study in The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy suggests that taking zinc when you have a cold could reduce symptoms by up to half a day.
• Colds Versus the Flu
Colds normally come on slowly and start with a sore throat and sneezing. The flu comes on quickly, and causes muscle soreness, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Mga higala I wish you health for the coming year and beyond 
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