There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching a cold or influenza. They include the following:

Wash Your Hands Often

Hand washing is the most neglected, yet most effective, method of disease containment. The primary way of spreading both colds and influenza is person-to-person contact. Effective ways to prevent respiratory infections include: 1) washing your hands thoroughly and often, 2) avoiding hand-to-hand passage of germs and droplet sprays from sneezing and coughing, and 3) using alcohol-based hand gels when washing is not possible.

Avoid Crowds During Influenza Season

This may not be a very practical suggestion for everyone. However, if you are at high risk of catching a cold or influenza, or at risk for developing complications from these infections, try to avoid crowded areas or people who are obviously sick during the winter influenza season.

Get a Flu Vaccine

Each year, the World Health Organization tries to determine which strains of the influenza virus will be most dangerous in the upcoming influenza season. Vaccines are developed for these strains.

In a recent CDC press briefing, it was reported that the vaccine used for the 2007-2008 flu season may not provide adequate protection against the A (H3N2) and B strains. However, vaccination can still weaken the virus and prevent complications.*³

Anyone may benefit from a flu vaccine, but it is strongly recommended every fall for several groups of people who are at the highest risk for complications. These include:

  • People aged 50 or older
  • Infants and children 6-59 months old
  • Residents of chronic care facilities and nursing homes
  • Those with chronic illnesses, especially of the heart, lungs, blood, and kidneys
  • People with a weakened immune system
  • Women who are pregnant during the flu season
  • Healthcare workers who come in contact with sick patients
  • Caregivers or household members of persons in high risk groups

Influenza vaccine has been associated with fewer hospitalizations and deaths from influenza or pneumonia among the elderly living in the community. Researchers who followed a large group of adults older than 65 during the ten flu seasons from 1990-2000 found that those who received the influenza vaccine were less likely to be hospitalized and had a lower mortality rate than those who did not receive the vaccine.*2

Flu vaccines are available at doctors' offices, hospitals, local public health offices, and at some workplaces, stores, or shopping malls. A possible side effect is a mild "flu-like" reaction, including fever, aching, and fatigue. Up to 5% of people experience these symptoms after getting the influenza vaccine.

There are two types of vaccination: an inactivated virus vaccine given as an injection and a live-attentuated virus vaccine given intranasally (FluMist). The shot is approved for people over the age of 6 months (with some restrictions). The intranasal vaccine is approved for people ages 5-49 years, also with some restrictions.

However, in a recent study of 7,852 children (6-59 months pld) comparing the effectiveness of these two vaccine formulations, researchers found that the nasal spray led to 55% fewer cases of influenza through a single flu season. Since slightly more young children (6-11 months old) receiving the nasal spray developed wheezing, the researchers concluded that the benefits of FluMist outweigh its risks, especially in children with a history of asthma or wheezing. Talk to your doctor about which vaccine is the most appropriate for you or your child. *1

Medication

If you are a high-risk patient, your physician may prescribe an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for prophylaxis. Antiviral drugs are recommended for people with chronic illness who have not been vaccinated or received a vaccine after the start of a flu outbreak. The CDC is no longer recommending use of amantadine or rimantadine for treatment or prevention because resistance among strains of influenza A can emerge rapidly.