It's mid flu season, people, and for those of us who live in small, cramped living conditions, it may seem impossible not to get sick. Fortunately, I have some good news. Below is a compiled list of all the things you can do to avoid catching that virus from your the kid living two feet away from you at all times.
1. Wear a mask!
This may seem stupid, inconvenient and just plain uncomfortable but trust me folks, it's better than the alternative. Surgical masks are a cheap option to keep yourself and those around you healthy this flu season. Regular face masks are great for preventing contagious air-borne droplets from escaping and spreading to others; however, respirators have proven to be even more effective. Respirators appear just like a regular face mask, although they're just a little pricier and help prevent air-borne particles from getting through the mask.
2. Drink lot's of orange juice and ginger tea!
Every one tells you to drink lot's and lot's of fluids when you're sick and this is absolutely correct. But you don't just have to drink water! Orange juice is a classic; all that vitamin C has been proven to shorten the duration of your cold or even catch it before it starts. Additionally, ginger tea is popular for many viruses in China because of it's pain-relieving abilities.
3. Echinacea, Echinacea, Echinacea!
Another cheap, yet incredibly useful alternative is Echinacea. It has long been used to fight all sorts of vitamins and infections and for boosting one's immune system. There are liquid (oil) versions that you can put in drinks or oral pills. It has also been noted that you should start taking it either before the infection sets in or at the very first sign of infection.
4. Sanitize it all!
Disinfect. Everything. Disinfect the doorknobs, surfaces, toilets, handles – basically anything that your living buddy touches. You won't stand a chance if you are making constant contact with all those nasty germs. Any cleaning wipes or sprays will do, just make sure that you keep it clean at all time.
5. Just stay away.
Living with someone in such close quarters is hard, but the only sure thing you can do is just keep out of the way as much as possible. Study in a coffee shop or go crash on a friends futon. If you have to be in the room, take all of the above precautions, but do as much as you can outside of the room.
