Getting sick in the winter months is no fun, but many people experience this come October or later. Why do people get sick around the winter months more often? It is not actually winter that brings on colds, but the fact that most people stay indoors in winter time, and have more personal gatherings and close contact with people where germs can harvest.
Using Preventative Methods to Stay Healthy
It is really easy to use preventative methods to stay healthy and keep from becoming ill. But it is harder to actually dodge the many germs that stay indoors in the wintertime. Germs can be avoided by washing hands thoroughly, avoiding over-crowded areas, taking supplements and exercising. Some supplements that seem to work to prevent colds include Vitamin C and Zinc, although neither are proven to be cure-alls. Vitamin C comes in tablet form and is found in foods such as citrus fruits, red peppers and broccoli.
Types of Winter Month Diseases
Some winter month diseases and ailments that can often be found going around include the flu (influenza), swine flu, common cold, bronchitis, and sinus infections. Influenza is a viral infection with symptoms similar to the common cold, but worse. The swine flu or H1N1 virus is a human disease bearing much of the same symptoms of the flu and is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. The elderly and very young children (two and under) are at greatest risk of having a severe outcome if they get the swine flu. The state can do testing solely on the swine flu and often reserves testing and medications for very severe cases and outbreaks.
Payoff of Not Getting Sick
There are advantages that come along with avoiding getting sick. These include more time with friends and family, less time taken off from work, and more productivity. It might also mean more vacation days reserved for fun activities (as they were not used up for sick time alone). If a person stays healthy they are also positively affecting those around them, too by keeping in strong form and not spreading any germs to their co-workers, friends, and family members.
Regular Checkups on Health
It is important to eat a healthy diet and avoid stress year round to avoid any of these diseases. Regular checkups cannot hurt and can even identify ailments that may make an individual susceptible to other illnesses down the road. Also, getting regular massage can keep the body from breaking down physically and can be considered another “preventative” method to incorporate into any health routine.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/swine-flu-faq-1
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/influenza-topic-overview
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