MAXIS GBN

Find out the simple steps you can take to minimise your risks this winter

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it will seem as if you can’t spend 10 minutes in the office or take public transport without everyone around you coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. With winter well on its way, here are some things you can do to minimise your risk of catching a cold or the flu.  

Strengthen your immune system 

A healthy immune system is more capable of fighting off a virus, or at least reducing the length or severity of a bout of cold or flu. Here are a few of the many things that go into building a strong immune system, including proper nutrition and exercise.

Manage stress. Studies have shown that people experiencing stress have weakened immune systems and are more likely to catch a cold than those who aren’t stressed.1

Get enough sleep. Don’t let yourself be run down and exhausted. Sleep is vitally important to a healthy immune system. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night, especially going into cold and flu season.

Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoke can irritate your airways and increase your susceptibility to colds and other infections. Even exposure to second-hand smoke can make you more vulnerable to colds.

Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water can bolster your immune system. Try avoiding drinks with lots of sugar (like sports drinks, soft drinks and fruit juices).

Practice strong germ defence

The World Health Organization suggests that one of the most effective germ defence against the flu is your annual vaccination.2 In addition to a flu vaccination, adopt these sensible germ defence habits.

Wash your hands often. Frequent hand washing with hot water and soap helps get rid of most germs you might pick up from touching surfaces used by other people.

Avoid touching your face. Especially your nose, mouth and eye areas if you are around someone with a cold or have been touching surfaces in a public area.

Keep household and workplace surfaces clean. Be sure to wipe surfaces and objects with a disinfectant solution.

Use paper towels in the kitchen and bathroom when drying your hands. Germs can live for several hours on cloth towels. At home, use separate towels for each family member to minimise the transmission of viruses.

Throw tissues away after use. Used tissues hold viruses that can contaminate any surface where they are left.

Ventilate your home. Research shows that airflow and ventilation can significantly affect how diseases are spread indoors. After a cough or sneeze, some viruses stay suspended in the air for hours. Keeping your space ventilated helps eliminate conditions where these viruses (and bacteria) thrive.

Taking care of yourself if you do get sick

Whether you are sick with the flu or a cold, over-the-counter medication such as decongestants, acetaminophen and cough syrups may help relieve congestion, aches and other symptoms you might experience. Some people take natural remedies, such as zinc, vitamin C or Echinacea; however, studies haven’t yet conclusively confirmed whether these remedies can prevent or reduce the symptoms or length of your cold.3,4,5

There are also lifestyle and home remedies to make yourself as comfortable as possible when you get sick.

Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are good choices. Try avoiding liquids that may dehydrate you, like alcohol.

Eat soup. Soup and other warm fluids can be soothing and can help loosen your congestion.

Rest. If you have a fever or a bad cough, stay home. This will give you a chance to rest, as well as reduce the chances you’ll pass the virus to others.

Adjust your room’s temperature and humidity. Keep your room warm, but not overheated. If the air is dry, a humidifier or vaporiser can moisten the air and help ease your congestion and coughing.

Soothe your throat. A saltwater gargle – 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water – can temporarily relieve your sore or scratchy throat.

Use saline nasal drops. This helps to relieve your nasal congestion.

Taking these measures can help to keep you safe this cold and flu season. If you would like to run a “germ defence” awareness campaign in your workplace, contact your local MAXIS GBN representative or email [email protected] to request our educational toolkit with ready to use educational materials.

 

Sources:
1 AGE, “Stress, ageing and their influence on functional, cellular and molecular aspects of the immune system,” June 2014
2 World Health Organization, “Influenza (Seasonal): Fact sheet,” November 2016
3 Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, “The Bradford Hill criteria and zinc-induced anosmia: a causality analysis,” July 2010
4 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, “Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold,” January 2013
5 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, “Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold,” February 2014, are not protected by the NY state guaranty fund, and are not
 
The information contained in this document is intended to provide general guidance on health and wellness matters and should not be relied upon as medical advice. MAXIS GBN is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in this document. The information may not apply to your particular circumstances, and so you rely on it at your own risk. You should always consult a licensed health care professional for the diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition and before starting or changing your health regime, including seeking advice regarding what drugs, diet, exercise routines, physical activities or procedures are appropriate for your particular condition and circumstances.
The MAXIS Global Benefits Network (“Network”) is a network of locally licensed MAXIS member insurance companies (“Members”) founded by AXA France Vie, Paris, France (AXA) and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY (MLIC). MAXIS GBN, registered with ORIAS under number 16000513, and with its registered office at 313, Terrasses de l’Arche – 92 727 Nanterre Cedex, France, is an insurance and reinsurance intermediary that promotes the Network. MAXIS GBN is jointly owned by affiliates of AXA and MLIC and does not issue policies or provide insurance; such activities are carried out by the Members. MAXIS GBN operates in the UK through UK establishment with its registered address at 1st Floor, The Monument Building, 11 Monument Street, London EC3R 8AF, Establishment Number BR018216 and in other European countries on a services basis. MAXIS GBN operates in the U.S. through MetLife Insurance Brokerage, Inc., with its address at 200 Park Avenue, NY, NY, 10166, a NY licensed insurance broker. MLIC is the only Member licensed to transact insurance business in NY. The other Members are not licensed or authorised to do business in NY and the policies and contracts they issue have not been approved by the NY Superintendent of Financial Services, are not protected by the NY state guaranty fund, and are not subject to all of the laws of NY.