If you already sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands diligently, and avoid crowds where these viruses can easily spread, you’re on the right track. But you still may be putting yourself at risk in these unexpected ways—probably without even realizing it.
1-Worrying too much
Research shows that worrying can weaken your immune system. A weak immune system increases your chances to catch a bug, including the swine flu.
2-Hugging, kissing, and shaking hands
Close contact with infected individuals is one of the easiest ways to pick up a virus. If you must shake hands be sure to wash your hands before touching your mouth and eyes.
3-Smoking
Smoking cigarettes weakens the tiny disease-fighting hairs tucked inside nasal passages and the lungs, which trap and dispose of germs. This can leave your body more susceptible to attack.
4-Hitting the gym too hard
Some behaviors that in moderate amounts keep you healthy can actually weaken your immune system when taken to the extreme. The gym is also a great place to pick up a virus from a sweaty treadmill or in the changing room.
5- Drinking alcohol
Drinking lots during flu season could leave you with more than a hangover since alcohol actually weakens the immune system.
6- Relying solely on antibacterial gel
Alcohol-based antibacterial gel should not be used instead of soap and water, but only when a sink is unavailable.
7- Washing hands incorrectly
Whistle “Happy Birthday” twice while scrubbing all surfaces on hands and between fingers, and dry hands completely. Turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door with a paper towel to keep hands clean.
8- Mishandling a face mask
“Masks accumulate the virus,” says Barry. “You’d have to be extremely careful taking the mask off. Make sure the mask doesn’t brush against your nose or mouth or eyes; throw it out, and definitely wash your hands after.” Remove the mask by the straps or strings in the back so you avoid touching the front of the mask, which will be the most contaminated.
9- Taking flu drugs prematurely
In the midst of the swine flu panic, some patients have rushed to stock up on antiviral medications like Tamiflu. The majority of people won’t need these drugs—ever—and taking them unnecessarily could increase the risk that the virus will become resistant to these medicines.
10- Worrying too little
This may seem to contradict risk factor No. 1, but, in fact, the healthiest approach to flu season is to take a position somewhere between panic and indifference.
According to Health.com
1- Do something!
2- Eat, eat, eat
3- Watch that diet
4- Take care of your body
5- Get your beauty rest
6- Enjoy your coffee
7- Eat fish
8- Chill out
9- Skip the supplements
10- Tease your brain
According to LiveScience.com
According to BootsnAll Travel…
According to Spike…
Flossing prevents gum disease, and research is starting to show that gum disease can lead to cardiovascular problems or even a problem during pregnancy called preeclampsia.
Your doctor may think he or she doesn’t need to give you annual pap tests if you say you’ve never had an STD, and missing these tests could mean letting a new disease go without detection. Previous STDs can also lead to pregnancy problems.
There can be serious interactions between drugs and alcohol. If your doctor knows you drink, he or she can try to prescribe you drugs that don’t interfere with alcohol. Also, denying your drinking habits can be a symptom of an addiction.
Having several partners increases your risk of STDs. If your doctor knows your habits, he or she can try to catch any infections early before lingering problems occur.
Diet and exercise can help with blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. It may be “easier” to take a pill for these problems, but the accompanying price and side-effects aren’t worth it.
Smoking causes an increased risk for sinus and upper respiratory infections, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. But it can also cause blood clots and strokes in women who use hormone-based contraceptives. If you light up, even once a month, you smoke.
Skin cancer rates have risen significantly since 1980. If you admit to frequently forgetting your sunscreen, your doctor can screen you for problems more frequently, and therefore catch them earlier when they are easier to treat. Your doctor can also be sure not to prescribe you medications that make you photo-sensitive.
Using drugs incorrectly can make you even sicker. For example, if you tell your doctor you’ve finished your antibiotics when you have not, he or she will prescribe you a new antibiotic. This will make the bacteria resistant to the medication, and could lead to a much more serious problem than the one with which you started.
Any medication, even Tylenol and ibuprofen, can have an effect on other drugs. Your doctor can prescribe you the proper drugs, or at least the proper amounts, only if he or she knows everything you are taking at a given time.
There are so many different kinds of birth control available, there is one out there appropriate for you and your lifestyle. If, for example, you constantly forget to take your pill, you doctor can suggest a better alternative.
According to Redbook…
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