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South Africans are preparing for cold weather in the coming months, with the winter bringing a much colder temperature.
This is not the only thing that winter will bring. The cold and flu season is in full swing, leaving dozens of people with runny noses, sore throats and headaches.
A Pharma Dynamics survey found that many South Africans are poorly prepared for the health problems that winter usually imposes on them.
A READ ALSO: Five surprising ways to keep the flu at bay
The cold and flu medicine provider has conducted a survey to determine how "prepared" people are prepared to fight colds and the flu this winter.
It found that 64% could not worry about eating healthier by increasing their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, 80% had not opted for the flu vaccine and 6 out of 10 were not implementing good practices. hygiene, such as: washing your hands regularly.
Of the 1,800 South Africans who participated in the online survey, three-quarters will not go to bed before 8 hours of rest and less than half reinforce their immunity against multivitamins and healthy tonics.
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The company's Antimicrobial Manager, Annemarie Blackmore, said studies show that people who do not get enough sleep are more likely to get colds after being exposed to the virus, which can also delay their recovery.
"When we sleep, our body releases proteins called cytokines, which promote sleep and help fight infections. Too little sleep can reduce the production of cytokines and anti-infection antibodies, which the body needs especially when it fights a cold. Regular handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds will also help to limit the spread of cold and flu viruses, which are mainly transmitted by the hands. "
According to Blackmore, one of the easiest ways to avoid getting sick is to keep your hands away from your face – something that 85% of people surveyed did not consider important.
"People get a cold when they rub their eyes or nose after their hands have been contaminated by the virus they have contracted from people or contaminated surfaces. If you surround a colleague or sick friend, ask him to cough in a tissue or on his elbow to prevent the spread of germs. Teach the children the same practice. "
61% of respondents said they would not buy any medicine for the cold and flu season in an emergency.
Less than 4% will clean the humidifiers and check if other equipment, such as thermometers, are still in good working order.
"Although storing drugs is never a good idea," says Blackmore, "having pain and fever medications – for adults and children, antihistamines, a nasal decongestant, an expectorant, a spray for throat and a mixture of electrolytes are essential in winter.be stored in a safe place.It is usually in the middle of the night that you need it most and when you feel in bad weather, the last thing What you want to do is venture into the cold to get supplies at the pharmacy, "said Blackmore.
She adds that it is also important to have a plan of action if you are living with children.
"It's also a good idea to store enough food in the pantry and in the freezer with some pre-cooked meals for the time when colds and flu symptoms occur. If you have young children, put an action plan in place by providing support in advance to alleviate the stress of babysitter safety at the last minute. "
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Main image with the kind permission of iStock / 947805434
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