NATIONWIDE — It doesn’t take much for cold and flu symptoms to take over. Even a mild case of the sniffles can make it difficult to navigate the demands of everyday life. 

It’s virtually impossible to avoid germs altogether, but you can make sure you’re ready to fight off an infection, whether it’s a minor cold or a full-blown case of the flu.

“I always share a few easy and simple methods with my patients when cold and flu season comes back around, to keep them in the best shape,” said Dr. Tim Tiutan, board-certified internal medicine physician. “Not only does getting ahead offer protection, but knowing what to do when symptoms start to come on, and what to have in your medicine cabinet, can help ease the burden of an oncoming illness.”

Preparation and prevention play important roles before a bug hits, but it’s also valuable to know how to effectively treat an illness and keep your loved ones from getting sick.

Prevent

Short of stashing yourself away in a bubble, there aren’t many failsafe ways to fully avoid germs. However, some basic hygiene and preventive care can go a long way toward minimizing your risk. Regularly washing your hands can help get rid of germs before you accidentally introduce them to your eyes, mouth or nose.

Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle also helps ensure you’re in optimal condition if you do get sick. That means eating a nutritious, well-rounded diet and keeping up with your exercise routine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a flu shot.

Prepare

You can’t completely eliminate your exposure to germs, but you should ensure you have everything you need to fight a cold or flu on hand. 

At least once a year, give your medicine cabinet a thorough cleaning. Discard any expired medications and replace products that have run low, especially those designed to help fight symptoms—such as pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, antihistamines and cough syrups. It’s also a good time to restock items like tissues, cough drops, hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap.

Treat

Once you’re sick, sleep is one of the best remedies. Your body can redirect energy toward healing when you’re sleeping, which helps boost your immune system. In addition to getting enough rest, it’s important to treat your symptoms, not just mask them. Because symptoms such as fever, runny nose, chest congestion, cough and more can indicate a more serious problem, finding the root cause of the symptoms can be a more effective treatment strategy.

For example, some common remedies for chest congestion only mask the symptoms. Many doctors recommend an option like Mucinex 12-Hour because it treats the cause of chest congestion by thinning and loosening excess mucus. One dose lasts up to 12 hours, helping you clear mucus and relieve chest congestion.

Contain

Getting rest and managing your symptoms are easier when you stay at home, but it’s also the best way to prevent spreading germs to others. It’s not always practical, but if you can, limit yourself to one area of the house, away from family members. Cough into your elbow or a tissue, never your hands. Use antibacterial hand sanitizer and wipe down surfaces to minimize others’ contact with your germs. Take advantage of delivery or curbside services for essentials like groceries and talk with your employer about working remotely or using sick time until you’re feeling better.

Find more advice to help fight this cold and flu season at www.Mucinex.com.