Fall is known for many things, colorful leaves, apple cider, pumpkins and pumpkin spice, Halloween, Thanksgiving, windy storms, transitional weather, daylight savings, and the beginning of cold and flu season. This is the time of year that many people get flu shots and take other measures to gear up against sickness.
Some people forget about allergies during this season. it is easy to think that cooler months bring a reduction in pollen and other allergens tricking people into thinking that it is not an issue. Many people during this time can actually be mistaking cold and flu symptoms with allergy issues.
Identifying the Source of Your Symptoms
Many people in the United States suffer from allergies and unfortunately many of the symptoms are the same as those of the cold and even the flu. All of these ailments can cause runny and stuffy nose, soar throat, circles under the eyes, headache, sneezing, coughing, etc. Here is how you can help to pinpoint where your symptoms are coming from:
- Time: The symptoms of sickness like cold and flu usually have a short duration of a few days to a few weeks; allergy symptoms can happen continuously upon exposure to irritants.
- Treatment: Allergy symptoms are easily treated and relief comes quickly with proper treatment whereas cold and flu virus needs to run its course while the body’s immune system seeks to destroy it.
- Body Temp: This is one of the most obvious and easy ways to decipher between virus and allergies. If you have a high temperature, also called a fever, you more than likely have the cold or flu virus.
Virus or Allergens, we can all agree neither is fun especially during a busy season of life. The best defense against all of these is a proactive offense. Be prepared for all scenarios in your homes to help reduce the likelihood that you will be taken down by sickness or allergens.
Take these measures to keep your home and family healthier this fall and into the winter.
Diet- make sure you are maintaining a highly nutritious diet with meals high in vitamins and minerals including lots of veggies and fruits.
Hand Washing- the best combat against ingesting germs that make us sick is to wash hands frequently and avoid touching our faces. Make sure to use plenty of soap and wash at least 20 seconds.
Water- drink lots and lots of water to help your body flush unwanted and unneeded items.
Rest- the holiday season may be revving up and you may be more busy, but don’t skip out on a full night’s rest.
Air Ducts and Filters- clean ducts and change filters, this will take a lot of germs and allergens out of the air in your home.
Vacuum regularly- Carpet is the largest filter in your house but an overloaded filter does no one any good.
Remove as Many Germs and Allergens as Possible with Deep Cleaning- have a professional carpet cleaner come in a deep clean your floors and upholstery as well. These items act as large filters in your home and if they are overloaded they can fill the air in your home with even more germs and irritants causing more sickness.