Sore throat, running nose and pounding head? These are typical symptoms of a cold virus, but influenza, or ‘flu’ as it is commonly known, also adds muscular aches and pains, chills and fever to the mix. None of us wants it! Aiming to avoid flu is our best strategy, since once it takes hold, the virus can lead to lowered immunity for some time afterwards, making us more susceptible to other winter bugs, and bacterial infections, too. Bacterial infections are often what makes the sickness last longer; complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis and laryngitis can slow down recovery. So, in a two part plan, we should firstly try to avoid the initial infection, and secondly aim to strengthen our immune system to enhance resilience.
Wash your hands