Studies prove that every year millions of Americans suffer from cold. Yes, that is correct: millions. When you add the flu suffer count to this, the number will only be higher. Usually, a lot of people catch the flu or common cold in the winter months, primarily because of the weather changes. During this time, people spend a lot of their time indoors, which causes the illness to spread even faster.

Although the flu and cold are quite common, there are some prevention tips for cold and flu that help prevent catching the disease. 

1. Cover Yourself and Avoid Close Contact
Anytime you sneeze or cough, make it a point to cover your nose and mouth. It can help prevent those around you from falling sick. If you see someone is sick, please avoid going near them. Maintain a reasonable distance from others to prevent the spread of infection. 

2. Exercise
Exercising is a known immunity booster. So, include moderate exercise in your routine for at least 45 minutes a day, for a minimum of five days a week. It can help increase your resistance to cold and flu. 

3. Wash Your hands
During the flu and cold season, it is vital to maintain good hand hygiene. Flu and colds tend to transmit via the aerosol droplets from touching surfaces and sneezing, which infected people might have been in contact with. Usually, the virus may enter your body when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth using your infected hands. 
Thus, it is advised to wash your hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds with water and soap, especially before eating and after sneezing or coughing. You should teach your children to wash their hands before eating regularly. In case you are outside and do not have access to soap and water, you can use a hand sanitizer containing approximately 60% alcohol content.

4. Get Vaccinated
The CDC suggests that the best possible way to prevent flu is to get yourself armed with a flu vaccine. Everyone in the family over the age of six months should get vaccinated. The vaccination will prevent flu, but your symptoms will be very mild even if you do catch the flu. 

5. Disinfect the Surfaces
A vital prevention tip for cold and flu is to keep the household surfaces, such as telephones, switches, and doorknobs clean. These surfaces harbor the viruses for a couple of hours. Thus, you must disinfect the surfaces at regular intervals. Furthermore, it is best to have separate towels for both bathrooms and kitchens. If you sneeze in a tissue, throw it immediately to prevent the spread of the virus.