In the medical field one of the most common infectious diseases is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It is referred to as the “common cold”, yet the worst part is it’s not really all that common for some. For me on the other hand, it should be called the “unavoidable cold” because usually I can’t avoid getting sick the minute I hear a cough or when the spray of a sneeze travels through the air. Coming from a person with a completely and utterly weak immune system, who gets sick at the start of every season, let me give you a few tips on some precaution measure you can take to try and avoid that terrible and overbearingly annoying cold.

Step 1: Always, always, always wash your hands

You would think that this comes as first nature but not all people realize how important it is. It’s proven that one of the most dirty surfaces that we touch daily, sometimes even more dirty than our toilet seats, are our phones. Therefore, it never hurts to add an extra hand wash here and there, and maybe even carry around some antibacterial hand sanitizer just to try to avoid the spread of germs, both around your home and in your everyday life outside of home.

Step 2: Vitamins are a wise choice

Some of the most beneficial things I’ve found help when I start to feel a tickle in my throat or signs of body ache, are vitamins. Sometimes when we avoid eating certain foods, we don’t realize that we aren’t receiving all of the vitamins that our bodies may need. Taking Vitamin C, Emergen-C, or even Airborne all have helped me feel better as I replenish those things that I may be lacking in terms of nutrients for my body.

Step 3: Invest in a humidifier

If you’ve never used Vicks vapor rub I’m not quite sure you’ve ever been sick because that drugstore vaseline product is like a slap in the face of eucalyptus and love. The best alternative or even complimentary additive to Vicks vapor rub is a humidifier with Eucalyptus oil. It’s not as abrasive for those who don’t prefer the sent of Vicks yet it is very effective, especially to give that extra moisture during the night time.

Step 4: Shower and bundle up

Let’s face it, when you begin to get a cold one of the worst parts is when you start to sweat and get those heat flashes, and all you want to do is take a shower. It may be an old wives’ tale but showering while your sick and then exposing yourself to different climates, aka going from a hot shower to a seemingly colder temperature in your house is like crack to viruses. Your best move is to shower, and bundle up and go straight from the shower to under a warm pile of blankets in bed. You’ll be able to conserve your body heat and really sweat out your illness before it gets worse.

Step 5: Honey, lemon, and tea...the perfect trio

Three words, eight letters, it’s what a hot cup of tea says to your bodies ailments when you’re feeling sick. The tea gives you a warm hug, the honey soothes your throat, and the lemon well, it’s and extra dose of the Vitamin C we all need. Don’t underestimate the power of a good cup of tea, sometimes I’ve managed not to get sick, even when it seemed like there was no turning back.
Although I’m definitely not a doctor and these tips haven’t been approved through some medical association, I can confidently say they have gotten me through some tough times when I was trying to avoid getting sick. Therefore, the next time you begin to sniffle or feel a scratch in your throat try some of my quick and easy tips to avoid getting sick.