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Get Well Tips



You already know that Vicks® has everything you need to help you get relief from your cold and flu symptoms. So we've researched a series of get well tips you might not know to help speed your recovery and keep you healthy all year long.



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Sore Throat

  • Humidify the Air Indoors
    Humidifiers increase moisture in the air which helps to provide overall comfort and can help clear secretions, soothe airways, and reduce coughs. Moist air also can assist in minimizing the feeling of having a dry, scratchy throat and aids cilia movement, which helps the immune system fight infection.



Runny Nose/Sneezing

  • Sneeze Your Way to Health
    A good sneeze can kick irritants, and even some infections, out of your nasal passageways at speeds of 100 mph or more. Never try to stop a sneeze! Your nose and your body will thank you.

  • There's No Need to Overclean
    When kids are sniffling, it's smart to keep common areas clean. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease found that rhinoviruses (cold germs) can only survive a maximum of three hours on inanimate objects and human skin. So, while cleaning often is important, over-cleaning may not improve your chances of avoiding a cold or the flu.



Head Congestion

  • Spice It Up to Clear Your Head
    Bring on the cayenne! Eating spicy foods can make your nose run. A runny nose helps break up congestion and remove irritants, which might be beneficial.

  • Elevate Your Head to Ease Congestion
    To ease head congestion while you sleep, slightly elevate your head by using additional pillows. The increased angle will help drain your head and relieve sinus pressure.

  • Drink Water; Ease Sinus Pressure
    Keep a bottle of water with you wherever you go and take sips throughout the day. The extra hydration can help keep your nose moist and may help you breathe and rest easier.

  • Love That Shower Steam
    Sometimes the best way to care for a stuffed-up head for you or your child is to simply run a hot bath or shower and let the steam fill the room. The warm vapors can loosen mucus, help decongest the head, and might help make it easier to breathe.

  • Relieve Infant Sinus Pressure
    Next time your infant is all clogged up, sit her in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes to promote positive drainage (out the nose, instead of down the throat). Sometimes, especially when her cold is not too bad, this can be a simple and effective way to help clear her sinuses.



Cough

  • Know Your Cough
    An acute cough lasts less than three weeks and is usually a symptom of the common cold. Only acute coughs should be self-treated. If you've been coughing longer than seven days, you should seek medical attention.

  • Know When to See a Doctor
    Rule of thumb: If your phlegm is yellow or green, you should go to the doctor because you could have a bacterial infection and might need an antibiotic.

  • Avoid All Cigarette Smoke
    A 2007 Yale School of Medicine study1 found that the combination of cigarette smoke (even secondhand) and the flu virus can cause significant, even permanent, lung damage.

  • Cough Effectively
    A common cold symptom is excessive mucus in the chest and lungs. To remove this mucus effectively, National Jewish Health™ recommends2 a deep coughing technique. Start by taking a deep breath and holding it for two to three seconds. Then use your stomach muscles to breathe out aggressively. Try to avoid short coughs or throat clearing. If done correctly, it's possible to make your coughs more productive.

1 http://opa.yale.edu/news/article.aspx?id=5925
2 http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/lifestyle-management/bring-up-mucus.aspx


Chest Congestion

  • Replace Your Toothbrush
    If your chest feels congested or if your throat is sore, your toothbrush might be the culprit. Bacteria can form on the bristles and make you sick. So replace your toothbrush at the beginning, middle, and end of an illness.



Fever

  • Fluids Fight Fever
    When you're fighting a fever, try drinking at least 2 to 3 additional ounces of fluid every hour. Water or non-carbonated sports drinks work best. And remember, even if you're not sweating, you still can get dehydrated, which might weaken your immune system and lead to a prolonged fever.

  • Feed a Fever
    Flu symptoms often include a fever, which can raise your metabolism by 7% for every degree greater than 98.6° F. Your body needs food to fuel your immune system. So, if you have a fever, try to eat slightly more to stay on the road to recovery.

  • Slight Fever? Don't Panic
    A Washington University study3 found that within a 24-hour cycle, it's normal for your core body temperature to lower or rise from the average 98.6° F. So if the thermometer reads a little high (or low), it doesn't necessarily mean you have a cold or flu virus.

  • Exercise with a Cold, but Not the Flu
    The National Institutes of Health say that, for the most part, it's OK to exercise even if you have a cold. The simple act of sweating helps expel harmful germs. But don't push yourself too hard, especially if you have a fever.

3 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001982.htm


Aches and Pains

  • Use the Right Pain Reliever
    There are two primary pain relievers on the market today—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, relieve pain by reducing inflammation, making them well-suited for muscle aches, while acetaminophen blocks pain signals, which is ideal for general headaches and fever.



General Cold-Care Tips

  • Be Prepared for Colds; They Happen Often
    It is estimated that adults will suffer two to four colds per year, and children could suffer up to 10 colds annually.4 In fact, on average, people have a cough or cold for 2-1/2 years of their lives.

  • Expect Multiple Cold and Flu Symptoms
    It is estimated that 80 percent of cold and flu sufferers experience more than one cold symptom. The most bothersome symptoms are runny/blocked nose, cough, and pain.

  • Find Relief by Eating or Drinking Warm Foods That Taste Good
    Warm, flavorful food can help relieve cough and sore-throat symptoms by stimulating salivation and secretions to help soothe and lubricate the throat.5

  • Practice Proper Thermometer Care
    Cleaning a glass thermometer with hot or even just warm water can cause an inaccurate reading. It's always best to use cool water.

  • Mom Was Right About Chicken Soup
    When you have a cold or flu, a study conducted by the American College of Chest Physicians®6 suggests that chicken soup can help you feel better. The study showed that chicken soup reduced respiratory inflammation caused by a cold and the flu.

  • Feeling Sick? Don't Spread It
    As a general rule, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention7 says that a flu virus is contagious from one day prior to showing symptoms to five days after the first symptoms have developed. If you have a weakened immune system or are older than 65, you could be contagious for more than seven days.

  • Decrease Stress
    Studies show that elevated levels of stress reduce the number of T cells in your body. You need T cells to keep your immune system strong. So if you're feeling under the weather, take it easy. Doctor's orders!

  • Colds Versus the Flu
    A cold generally comes on slowly and starts with a sore throat and sneezing. The flu comes on quickly, and causes muscle soreness, fever, chills, and fatigue.

4 Common Cold, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Retrieved 21 May 2009 http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commoncold.
5 Sanu, A, Eccles, R, The effects of a hot drink on nasal air flow and symptoms of common cold and flu, Rhinology, December 2008; 46(4): 271-5.
6 American College of Chest Physicians. New Study Supports Chicken Soup As a Cold Remedy. ScienceDaily. 19 Oct 2000.
7 http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm
* Pharmacy Times, OTC Supplement, June 2009: NyQuil—Adult Cold-Nighttime.