How to protect yourself from the flu
We have repeatedly talked about how important it is to prevent hypothermia, which weakens the body. The latter can result in a weakened immune system, and, as a result, it will be easier for the body to catch SARS and even the flu. Against the backdrop of a pandemic, many have forgotten that the flu takes hundreds and thousands of human lives every year. It is dangerous to think that the flu can be cured with fever-lowering drugstore powders, vitamin C, and honey tea. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. And getting vaccinated against the coronavirus does not replace the flu shot.
It is best to get vaccinated before the start of the flu season, as protective antibodies against the virus begin to be produced only 2 weeks after the vaccine is administered. Before vaccination, the patient must be examined by a therapist. If there are no allergic and chronic diseases that prevent vaccination, it should definitely be done. Vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent severe complications of influenza.
For the rest, make it a habit to take care of immunity.
Dressing for the weather
The main thing is to keep a balance in clothes: do not overcool, but do not wrap up excessively. The perfect winter set is layered clothing made from natural materials. Between the layers of clothing there are always layers of air that retains heat. Outerwear must be waterproof.
Headwear and mittens are required. In their absence, local vasospasm may occur, which threatens to turn into a spasm of the coronary vessels and an attack of angina pectoris. This is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease. Frosts are fatal for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system: in no case should you overcool. Those who have bronchopulmonary diseases should also be careful: in some patients, any cold exposure provokes attacks of the disease. Therefore, when going outside, it is better for them to wrap themselves in a warm scarf and try not to inhale the cold air.
Prevention of vascular accidents
Sharp temperature fluctuations can negatively affect even healthy people, and even more so for patients with chronic diseases. Temperature fluctuations provoke vasoconstriction, which increases the likelihood of strokes. And if a person is constantly in a heated room, sweats and loses fluid, and then goes for a walk, this can lead to a vascular accident.
It is necessary to leave the warmed rooms in a cold season correctly. After dressing, do not linger in the apartment, so as not to sweat and not to catch a cold. But when you go out into the cool vestibule, try to spend a few minutes there. Then stand for another minute in the stairwell in front of the front door, where the temperature is even lower than on the landing. On the street, you should not immediately start moving – first stand still to adapt to the low temperature.
Protecting yourself from viruses
The cold season usually coincides with the season of viral infections. With hypothermia, the body becomes more susceptible to them. To protect yourself from them, do not forget about the observance of epidemiological measures: wear masks, wash your hands, use an antiseptic. Long walks in cold air are not welcome. Talk less in the cold. And refrain from drinking cold drinks outdoors.
Avoid frostbite
If you do not have enough warm clothes and you are in the cold for a long time, the case may end in hypothermia. Areas of the body covered with a thin layer of clothing can be chilled (the skin becomes cyanotic, pain occurs, sometimes itching, peeling, vascular pattern). The main prevention of these conditions is warm clothes and a greasy cream for exposed skin. Frostbite most often affects the legs (due to light or damp shoes), hands (lack of mittens), cheekbones and the tip of the nose. When frostbite, you can not rub the problem area with snow: you need to cover it with something warm, drink something hot and get warm as soon as possible.
Warm up with the right drinks
There is an opinion that the easiest way to warm up is with the help of alcoholic beverages. Dangerous delusion! At first, you will indeed feel warm, but the feeling will be short-lived. Very soon, accelerated cooling will begin, and if a person under the influence of alcohol loses the sensation of cold, this may result in frostbite. Hot tea is the best way to warm up in the cold – you should take a thermos with you for a walk.
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