Always keep an arm's length to ward off a cold

It's getting cold again. Whether in the office, in kindergarten or at school. The sneezing and coughing around you becomes more and more frequent and louder. But how can you escape a cold at least this year??
It starts again. Everywhere run the nose, it is colder and uncomfortable. The best is "keep your distance, if possible an arm's length, as Peter Walger, infection expert of the professional association of German internists (BDI), advises. There is a high risk of infection by touching contaminated areas.

Keep your distance and more often handwashing: Simple but effective. Image: Monkey Business - fotolia

Sleep better with the window tilted even in the cold season
"Is there a way to get through the cold season without a flu infection?" This question arises again and again, when in autumn and winter again everywhere coughed, sneezed and nose cleaned. In principle, a cold - also called a flu infection - can hit anyone. But there are many ways to strengthen your own defense system and thereby minimize the risk of infection.

It is particularly important to provide the body with fresh air every day. Because the heating air in the interior dries out the mucous membranes, making them more susceptible to the infiltration of pathogens. Accordingly, the mucous membranes should be kept moist, which is why, according to Peter Walger, the bedroom should not be overheated and slept with the window tilted.

In winter better orientated to the Mediterranean cuisine
In addition, movement in the fresh air plays a central role in a strong immune system, because here, too, the mucous membranes are moist and well supplied with blood. Whether it will decide for jogging, Nordic walking or walking, was not important, because "all makes sense," Walger emphasized to the "dpa". Likewise, a healthy, nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables for a good defense is important, especially in winter, the body usually requires an extra dose of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the Mediterranean cuisine with little meat and healthy oil is a good guide, the expert continues. On the other hand, a lot of alcohol should be avoided because the body exudes more liquid than it drips.

An arm-length gap protects against transmission through coughing
In order to protect himself, one should always keep an arm's distance from other people who have caught cold, because "you plug yourself in by coughing or moaning," explains Walger. However, the risk of infection is even greater if contaminated surfaces are touched. Protection therefore offers a regular and careful hand washing, but that is z. B. on the road when strolling often not immediately possible. In this case, care should be taken in the meantime not to touch the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and mouth with your hands in order to avoid transmission of the pathogens.

A eucalyptus bath for the relief of colds
However, if the first symptoms of a cold occur, such as a dry throat or difficulty swallowing, special attention must be given to good moisture penetration of the mucous membranes. This means drinking a lot of fresh air instead of just being in the heated apartment. Nasal irrigations could also help, as well as many old proven home remedies for common cold. "Chicken soups are actually very well suited," says Walger.

The same applies to warm tea, because this would be the body simultaneously liquid and heat supplied. As a soothing home remedy for cough, there are also full baths with essential oils such. a spruce needle or eucalyptus bath. Likewise, for example, potato wraps or pads made of bags with hay flowers for a quick relief of discomfort. In acute cough, inhaling with common salt is a simple and at the same time extremely effective method, because the salt moistens the mucous membranes and releases stuck secretions.

For a fever and facial pain better see the doctor
Anyone who can not stay home despite a cold, for example because of an important job appointment, should also use symptom-relieving medicines such as painkillers or nasal spray, according to the expert from the Berufsverband Deutscher Internisten. If there is no improvement after three or four days, however, a visit to a doctor should be made - especially if additional symptoms such as fever, green cold or facial pain are added. In this case, it must be examined whether there may not be a "real" flu, because "flu and cold are two pairs of shoes," explains Walger. Here he recommends therefore especially risk patients such. elderly or chronically ill a vaccination. (No)