Who has time for sick days? Tips to fight the cold, cough and flu this year

(BPT) - People who have gotten sick report their cold and flu symptoms lasted up to six days, according to the Vicks Second Annual Global Cough and Cold Survey. While health experts advise sick workers to stay home to avoid spreading germs, few of us can afford to take that many sick days off from work or home life.

Fortunately, you can get by fighting cold and flu symptoms if you’re not able to take sick days. Here are some tips:

1. Take a multi-symptom medication. An estimated 80 percent of cold and flu sufferers experience more than one cold symptom, according to the survey. That’s why it is important to take a medication that can treat more than one symptom if you are experiencing multi-symptom discomfort. When you are sick with a cold, a multi-symptom medication such as non-drowsy DayQuil Cold & Flu can relieve your cold symptoms so you can power through your busy and hectic schedule during the day, and NyQuil Cold & Flu is the perfect medicine to relieve your cold symptoms so you can get rest. For more information, visit www.vicks.com.

2. Drink lots of fluids. Keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go and keep drinking throughout the day. The extra hydration not only helps keep your nose moist and might help you breathe and rest easier; it also helps flush toxins from your body.

3. Look for other ways to stay hydrated. Drinking fluids isn’t the only way to keep hydrated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using cool-moisture humidifiers to help provide relief from coughs and congestion. Concerned mothers can get their children used to humidifiers by using models like the Vicks Starry Night Humidifier. The great and small tool not only adds moisture to the air, helping to keep little noses clear, it also doubles as a nightlight, projecting stars on their bedroom ceilings.

4. Eat ... spicy, green and more. Bring on the heat! Eating spicy foods can give you a runny nose, which can be helpful because it helps break up congestion and remove irritations. Also, eating an assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables, particularly those with a high level of vitamin C, is an effective way to support your immune system. When your body is fighting off a cold or flu, it needs food to fuel your immune system. If you have a fever, try to eat a little more to keep on the road to recovery.

5. Reach for a convenient thermometer. A high fever is often one of the first recognizable signs of illness. If your children seem to be ill, take their temperature with a thermometer to see if they have a fever. With a squirmy sick child it may be difficult to ensure accurate readings, so try non-invasive alternatives like the Vicks’ Behind Ear Thermometer. The easy-to-use tool takes quick 1–second temperature readings that are color-coded, making them easy to read and decipher.

6. Lessen the stress. Studies have shown that elevated levels of stress can reduce the number of T cells in your body, and T cells are important to keep your immune system strong. If you’re feeling sick, have fun and relax to help you better cope with symptoms. You could also try exercise or meditation to relieve stress. The National Institutes of Health in the U.S. has stated that it’s okay to exercise even if you have a cold. The simple act of sweating helps drive out destructive germs and toxins from your body.