| As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season | | | | in a public washroom, wash your hands in the |
| moves into full swing. | | | | same manner as described above and dry them |
| | | | with a paper towel. Use the paper towel to |
| As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season | | | | shut off the tap and then to open the |
| moves into full swing. Last year was a record | | | | washroom door. Toss the paper towel into the |
| year for colds and flu and this year health | | | | garbage receptacle as you leave. |
| officials predict it will be even worse. We | | | | |
| must take precautions so the cold and flu | | | | Stay Well Hydrated |
| season doesn't catch us off guard. | | | | |
| | | | Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to keep |
| High Risk Individuals | | | | your body well hydrated. In summer, we tend |
| | | | to drink a lot because it is hot. It's easy |
| Though anyone can come down with a cold or | | | | to neglect hydration when the weather turns |
| the flu, there are certain individuals who | | | | cool. To keep your body well hydrated, drink |
| are at high risk. These include: | | | | eight to ten cups of fluid each day. Part of |
| | | | your fluid intake should be water. Other |
| - Senior citizens. | | | | sources of fluids include fruit and vegetable |
| | | | juices, milk, tea and coffee. Raw fruits and |
| - Pregnant women. | | | | vegetables are also a source of fluid. |
| | | | Keeping your body well hydrated will flush |
| - Diabetics. | | | | out all toxins and help you to ward off colds |
| | | | and the flu. |
| - Heart patients. | | | | |
| | | | Healthy Food Choices |
| - Toddlers. | | | | |
| | | | Make healthy food choices. Humans tend to eat |
| - Those with chronic diseases or those who | | | | more in the winter months. Eat well balanced |
| are receiving chemo therapy or radiation | | | | meals and be sure to include fish in your |
| treatments. | | | | diet at least once a week. Fish provides the |
| | | | body with Omega oils that help to boost the |
| - Children with disabilities or chronic | | | | immune system. Eat lots of fiber and cut back |
| diseases. | | | | on sweets, snacks and fast food to ensure |
| | | | your diet includes important antioxidants |
| - Those with compromised immune systems such | | | | that fight off colds and the flu. |
| as HIV or AIDS patients. | | | | |
| | | | Be Active |
| If you are an individual who is in this high | | | | |
| risk bracket, talk to your family physician | | | | In winter the majority of people become less |
| or health care professional to determine if | | | | active. Don't be a couch potato. If you |
| you should have a flu shot. | | | | dislike cold weather, create an exercise |
| | | | regime that you can participate in within the |
| If you aren't in this high risk category, | | | | comfort of your home. If you need others to |
| there are a few things you can do to reduce | | | | motivate you, consider joining the YM-YWCA or |
| the chance of coming down with a cold or the | | | | a local gym or recreation facility. |
| flu. | | | | |
| | | | If you like cold weather, take the kids |
| Hand Washing | | | | tobogganing, go cross country or downhill |
| | | | skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating or try |
| If you want to ward off colds and the flue, | | | | snowshoeing. Winter sports can be lots of fun |
| wash your hands frequently throughout the | | | | and they help us to ward off germs that cause |
| day. To wash your hands thoroughly, wet them | | | | colds and the flu. |
| with warm, not hot, water. Apply a generous | | | | |
| amount of soap and massage it into your hands | | | | If you eat a well balanced diet, wash your |
| and around fingertips and fingernails for | | | | hands frequently and thoroughly, stay |
| thirty seconds. Clean with soap all the way | | | | hydrated and get lots of exercise, you will |
| up your forearms to your elbows. Rinse | | | | stay in optimum health through the long |
| thoroughly, being certain not to leave any | | | | winter months and won't have to cope with a |
| soap residue. Dry your hands well. If you're | | | | cold or the flu. |