This is your wakeup call for being prepared going into the fall and any time you are laid up with a cold or flu. Try and set-up a plan for your family, as it can save you a lot of time & money. Those trips to the doctor and/or emergency room, if you deal with older parents, can drain you and your family!

The flu typically arrives later, in November, with the peak season from late December through early March. Odds are you’ll catch a cold soon, if you haven’t already this season. The average American adult catches about two to four a year. During the cold and flu season, step up the hand-washing routine reminders. Since the two illnesses share some similar symptoms, and both come during “cold and flu season,” the two often run together in people’s minds. While there is no way to cure the common cold or the flu, there are several things that you and your family can do to prevent them and stay healthy this season. It takes the immune system about six to eight weeks to respond to vaccination, one of the best times to get the flu vaccine is mid-October to mid-November, before the December-to-March outbreak.

Remember, cold viruses are present year-round but the the incidence of colds rise sharply in early fall, shortly after school begins. There are over 200 different types of viruses can cause a cold, one of which is the Rhinovirus, which means “nose viruses”. Flu or influenza is caused by viruses, which infect the nose, throat and lungs. Spray the surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen with a mild solution of 2 to 5 percent bleach in water to kill viruses and bacteria. Cold viruses can be transmitted in one of two ways: by touching respiratory secretions on a person’s skin (when shaking hands, for example) or on environmental surfaces (like doorknobs or handrails) and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth, or by inhaling infectious particles in the air (like respiratory secretions from a cough or sneeze).”Coughing is the body’s natural way of getting rid of offending viruses”, because germs and viruses cling to your bare hands, muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands results in passing along your germs to others. A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses.

Healthy immune function is not only critical to rapid recovery from common viral infections, but also determines how resistant people are to contracting these illnesses. Staying healthy begins with taking care of the inside, balancing and strengthening and perhaps purifying one’s energies. Healthy bodies have an easier time fighting off infection and clean hands are a powerful tool toward healthy bodies. On the other hand, without proper care or attention, a flu virus can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, each of which can cause permanent health damage.

Pregnant women who have a high-risk condition should be immunized regardless of the stage of pregnancy; healthy pregnant women may also want to consult their health-care providers about being vaccinated. The single most important thing you can do to strengthen your immune system is to eat a healthy, balanced vegetarian diet, according to some studies. Optimum health is a philosophy; a way of life; a lifestyle. It means that your community is committed to health promotion and disease prevention.

To stay healthy and rev up your immune system: get plenty of rest eat a well-balanced diet exercise regularly decrease stress cut back on unhealthy habits, such as smoking and over consuming alcohol. Studies have shown that a session of moderate physical activity produces positive effects on the immune system. To get the immune power from garlic, crush the cloves with the flat side of a knife before adding them to your food. This releases the garlic juice, which has great immune properties. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and juices, also helps the body’s immune system. Lack of sleep however can lower the immune system’s ability to react when needed. Without sufficient sleep, the immune system is hard-pressed to keep up with its nightly repair work, and creates an opening for opportunistic diseases. A balanced diet, with the right mix of vitamins and minerals, also keeps your immune system strong and resistant to flu and colds. Another popular herb is Echinacea, a dietary herbal supplement that some people use to treat their colds. Oregano extract — which comes in oil or in capsule forms — can also help boost the body’s natural immune system and support respiratory health.

The bad news is, you may find it impossible to completely avoid a cold or the flu. The good news is you can help yourself try to avoid getting the seasonal sickness and treat yourself if you do succumb — up to a point: See a doctor if you get sick and don’t get better in a few days after healthy doses of water, chicken soup, sleep, soap operas and endlessly repeated “news. More good news from the good doctor: It’s not too late to get a flu shot in the fall.