4 Tips To Avoid Winter Viruses

Ubiquitous throughout the winter, the viruses are causing infections. Usually benign, these viral infections can sometimes be complicated. Here are four important rules to know and to apply for the virus does not pass you by.

1) All the viruses they transmit in the same way?
2) What is the first step on the way home?
3) Contacts with the virus they strengthen our immunity?
4) During an outbreak, avoid crowds if you are frail

1) All the viruses they transmit in the same way?

The main viruses that circulate during the winter are responsible for the flu, bronchiolitis in infants, colds and gastroenteritis. All are transmitted by hands. In other words, if you are infected, just to shake hands to spread the virus, or touching a doorknob. These viruses can also be spread by coughing, but it is especially the case of the flu and bronchiolitis.

To avoid infection and limit transmission of these 4 viruses (influenza, bronchiolitis, common cold, gastroenteritis), it is necessary to wash hands as often as possible and imperative: leaving the toilet, before preparing meals, to eat, care for a newborn or a sick person and after transport. Against the viruses of influenza and bronchiolitis, we must also avoid splashing of the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing others.

2) What is the first step on the way home?

A good way not to bring viruses home and does not contaminate its surroundings is to:

Remove his shoes as soon as one enters his home.
Wash hands with soap and water immediately.

Tip: Use a water-alcohol solution is a good idea, but does not replace hand washing with soap and water. The aqueous solutions are ideal when traveling and need to be rather reserved for this purpose.

3) Contacts with the virus they strengthen our immunity?

Some think that by taking public transit every day, you end up better resistance to viruses. Wrong. The immune system is very powerful. When it encounters a virus, it identifies and defends itself. With vaccines, for example, one forces the immune system to produce antibodies against a virus -specific and stable (hepatitis B, varicella ...). But the viruses that circulate during the winter do change constantly. And that's why you can catch more colds during the same winter and vaccination against influenza should be repeated each year with a new vaccine.

Thus, there is no evidence that it strengthens the immune system against viruses of winter being around the crowd, such as in transit.

4) During an outbreak, avoid crowds if you are frail

The more we multiply the contacts and these contacts are close together, the greater the risk of viral infection is important. It is strongly recommended during periods of virus outbreaks to avoid crowds. While it is difficult to avoid public transport, focus on journeys outside peak periods. Ideally, avoid, in the same way, large gatherings (events, concerts, theater, cinema ...), but also shopping centers that concentrate a huge number of people. Finally, remember that the airplane is also an ideal mode of transport for the spread of viruses via air conditioning ...