The cold weather can trigger a shivering number of symptoms, making you more susceptible to illness. Don't worry, there are lots of tips to keep you well this sneezy season. 

Prevention

If you start to experience worsening signs of a cold or flu contact your GP. You should also talk to your pharmacist first, they can recommend a plan of action to prevent symptoms from worsening or spreading - it will also save you a trip to the doctors. Flu can become a serious illness, visit your GP and enquire about a flu jab, these can lower your risk and the severity of flu, especially if you currently have an existing lung condition. 

Avoid it

It is important to look after your own health.

• Postpone time with a friend or seeing cold-suffering relatives. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and encourage other people around you to do the same.
• Cough into your elbow or the crook of your arm to reduce the spread of germs.
• Throw away used tissues as soon as you can.
• Wash your hands regularly or use a hand sanitiser gel if you’re out and about. 

Stay Warm 

• Get up and get active this will help you feel much warmer, keep you fit and boost your immune system all at the same time! It may be cold outside but you will soon feel warmer the more you move and it can be quite a refreshing experience.
• Make sure your home is adequately heated to at least 18°C (64°F).
• At nights it is important to sleep with your windows closed and with plenty of layers on, this will help to trap warm air and keep you from feeling cold in the middle of the night.
• Have a hot drink before you go to sleep, this will maintain your core temperature and help you fall asleep quicker. 

Look after your Airways and Lungs 

• Check the weather before you head outside, if it is too cold and breezy it may be better to get active indoors or stay warm and rest to feel better.
• If you do go outside bring a hat and a scarf that covers your mouth, this will help prevent you from losing too much heat and feeling cold.
• When out and about make sure to breath through your nose, this helps warm the air you are breathing in as it is filtered and heated through your airways.
• If you smoke, think about quitting this habit - during winter there is an increased risk of complications with chest infections, heart attacks and strokes amongst smokers!