The winter months present plenty of opportunities for viruses to spread. Chilly weather keeps more of us indoors at the same time and brings together family members of all ages.

Colds and flu (influenza) can occur anytime, but appear mostly in the winter. Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outdoors, can cause mild to serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected.

Taking preventive action is the best defense. To keep ourselves and our family safe, we should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises.

Fight the flu and cold
During the winter months, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza (flu) are widespread among people, especially in the children of first two years of age.

For most people, viral respiratory illnesses are usually self-limiting and last only a few days. But along with making millions of us feel lousy every year, colds and flu can also cause serious problems and can even be deadly.

Here are tips to ward off colds and flu to become healthy and happy.

Wash your hands: Both colds and flu can be passed through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces such as doorknobs and telephones. So it is wise to make a habit of washing your hands and to teach children to do the same.

This helps you prevent spreading respiratory infections and picking them up from someone else. Touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with contaminated hands makes it easy for cold and flu viruses to enter the body. Others can become ill by just coming in contact with someone who has become infected with a cold or flu virus or who has come in contact with a contaminated area.

Limit exposure to infected people: Sometimes people are infected with a virus and they do not know it because they have not experienced symptoms yet. If possible, avoid people who you know have colds and flu. Keep infants away from crowds for the first few months of life. This is especially important for premature babies who may have underlying abnormalities like lung disease and heart disease.

Practice healthy habits: Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can help the immune system better fight off the germs that cause illness.

Because smoking interferes with the mechanisms that keep bacteria and debris out of the lungs, those who use tobacco or who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to respiratory illnesses and more severe complications than nonsmokers.

Drink up and rest: Fluids such as water, juice, soup, and non-caffeinated beverages can help loosen mucus, keep you hydrated, and make you feel better, especially if you have a fever.

To help others stay healthy, limit your exposure to them and promptly throw out tissues rather than letting them pile up on your nightstand.

Gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat. A cool-mist humidifier, which breaks water into droplets and releases them into the air, may help relieve stuffy noses. Keep the humidifier clean to avoid a buildup of mold, which could be harmful if inhaled.

Saline nasal drops and suctioning with a bulb syringe advised by a physician can help infants and small children breathe better. But be gentle because aggravating the nasal passages could make swelling worse. Also, dress sick children comfortably. But some parents bundle them up if they have a fever, which can make it worse.

Get the flu vaccine: A vaccine against colds has not been developed because colds can be caused by many types of viruses. But the flu vaccine remains the best way to prevent and control the flu.

The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women, people with a history of asthma or other reactive airway diseases, people age 50 and over, or to children under 5.

Treatment options
Most of the time, colds and flu simply have to run their course. Generally no medicine is needed for colds and flu unless they become complicated.

You usually do not need to consult the doctor at the first signs of cold and flu, but there are times when you should. If you are not getting better after about a week or your symptoms worsen, you should seek advice from a doctor.

In case of stuffy nose, nasal decongestants may help. Cough suppressants quiet coughs; expectorants loosen mucus so you can cough it up; antihistamines help stop a runny nose and sneezing. Some people rely on vitamin C supplements, zinc lozenges to prevent and treat cold and flu symptoms. These remedies may make some people feel better.

Certain drugs can cause several adverse effects like fever, headaches, and minor aches. Children and teen-agers suffering from flu-like symptoms, chickenpox and other viral illnesses should not take aspirin because of the possibility of Reye syndrome (encephalopathy affecting young children who have had a viral infection).

Some patients may be wrongly treated with antibiotic before their cold or flu symptoms get bad. But antibiotics do not help viral illnesses. Using antibiotics inappropriately only spreads antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making fewer drugs effective for treating disease. So it is strongly recommended that we should consult with physician first before treating children suffering from cold and flu symptoms.