How to avoid respiratory infections in winter

With a cool nip in the weather, winter is finally here. It’s the time of the year for food, festivities, and even vacations and trips. "While we enjoy this season and its festivities, we cannot ignore the fact that this winter also brings with it its ugly side and hence also referred to as flu season," says Dr. Sachin D Consultant - Interventional Pulmonology Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. Respiratory infections like the common cold (Rhinitis) and Flu are very common in wither season. These infections are mostly caused by viruses although this can lead to secondary bacterial infections and pneumonia. Dr. Sachin shares valuable information on common cold, the symptoms and preventive measures for it.

Common cold presents as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and might lead to sore throat and coughing. Symptoms usually last for a few days to a week. Flu presents as fever with chills, extreme fatigue, body ache along with cold. Symptoms may last for a few weeks. Without proper care these may cause complications like bronchitis (infection of airway causing yellow phlegm and wheezing), Pneumonia (Infection in lungs causing chest congestion and breathing difficulty), worsening of underlying medical conditions (Asthma, heart, and lung diseases), dehydration, ear and sinus problems.

Since most of these infections are caused by viruses like Rhino virus, Adeno virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Influenza, and parainfluenza virus among others, these can be highly contagious and spread from person to person via aerosols or contact. When a person coughs or sneezes, the droplets release into the air carry viruses which get inhaled by nearby contacts leading to spread of infection. It can also spread by close contact and fomites (used handkerchiefs, towels etc.)

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• Keep your health at check. If you notice any changes in routine health or symptoms of early flu, consult your specialist.

• Avoid stress and take adequate rest.

• Its best to eat home food and avoid outside or street foods this season.

• Adequate hydration is to be maintained.

• Eat lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits to keep antioxidants ample in your body to fight infections.

• Keep your immunity good by a healthy diet and regular exercises.

• Wear a mask in public places/ crowded gatherings, preferably a surgical mask or at least a cloth mask.

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing. Use a tissue or your elbow and not hands. Always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose. Used tissues to be discarded immediately.

• Wash hands often with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol based sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) can be used when there is no access to soap and water.

• Avoid touching nose, mouth, and eyes.

• Stay away from people who has respiratory infections and limit close contact with others if you are sick.

• Avoid sharing personal items such as handkerchiefs, towels etc.

• Avoid social gatherings and crowds during this season.

• Maintain a clean-living environment.

• Avoid smoking and don’t let people smoke near you.

• Ideally should be taken care in separate rooms if feasible.

• Care givers to maintain proper hand hygiene.

• Proper disinfection of home at regular intervals

• Care givers to wear mask when encountering sick person.

• Maintain social distancing 3-6 feet.

• Avoid close contact like shaking hands, touching, kissing, hugging etc. except as necessary to give care and support.

Influenza vaccine: Commonly called flu shot protects from Influenza. New influenza vaccines are produced every year to cover up for the change in the viral strains that happen naturally. This vaccine is available as quadrivalent to cover the most comer influenza strains of viruses. This vaccine is given annually during the flu season (October- December) to the target people. This vaccine can be taken by all healthy adults and is mandatory for those with chronic heart/lung conditions. Consult your doctor for the need of this vaccine which can reduce the flu rates by 80-90 %.

Pneumococcal vaccine: There are 2 types of pneumococcal vaccine which protects from Streptococcus pneumoniae (bacteria) which can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. This is a severe lung infection which starts as sore throat and spreads rapidly to lungs and then into the bloodstream affecting brain and its coverings. If severe and not treated promptly can also result in death of infected persons. Luckily, we have the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13 and PPSV23) which can significantly protect against this deadly disease and reduce the severity of infection. This vaccine is usually given to all adults above 65 years of age and below 65 years with underlying medical conditions/ low immunity. Hence its imperative to consult your specialist regarding the requirement of this vaccine if elderly people or those with chronic medical conditions are present in the family.

Covid 19 vaccine: Following the Covid 19 pandemic all healthy adults were given covid 19 vaccine to protect from the severe disease caused by SARS Co V. There are 2 most common types of vaccine in India, Viral killed vaccine or Vector based vaccine both of which have a significant protection rate against severe disease forms of Covid19. If not vaccinated kindly consult your specialist and take the benefit of this vaccine.

All common colds and Flu require antibiotics: Most of the common colds and Flu are caused by respiratory viruses which do not respond to antibiotics which are given for bacterial infections. Irrational and Self medication with antibiotics during flu will not only be futile but can also cause severe reactions and complicate the viral infections. Antibiotics to be taken only after consulting a specialist who prescribes it for secondary bacterial infections or concomitant bacterial infections.

Common colds and Flu subside on their own and doesn’t require medical attention: Although most respiratory viral infections subside within few days to few weeks, they can result in complications of underlying medical conditions and can be fatal sometimes. Hence its important to consult and take proper treatment at an early stage to avoid these scenarios.

Home remedy and steam inhalation for colds is sufficient: Most of the home remedies and excessive steam inhalation can be harmful during colds. Using hot water and warm chest compresses while minimal steam inhalation and saltwater gargling is recommended, avoid using excessive steam inhalation and use of kadas and other mixtures which may cause gastritis and cause problems especially when associated with stomach flu.

Vaccines for flu is only for sick: Flu shot is recommended for all healthy adults annually. Kindly consult your specialist for the same.

My immunity is good and hence I don’t have to worry about flu: In fact, its noted that some viruses use the body immunity as a leap to attack the body and hence its imperative to consult and take proper treatment at an early stage.

Although Winter is the best season to enjoy festivities and vacation, caution to be exercised as this is also the flu season which can impact your life during this beautiful weather. Be aware of it and consult promptly if symptoms arise and don’t wait for the disease to take over you this winter.