Don't get caught cold
If you are suffering from winter's coughs, sneezes and sniffles, do not think it is just a common cold.
This year, Australia is awash with hundreds of exotic viruses, taking advantage of cramped conditions and dodgy hygiene.
If you are suffering a sore throat and runny nose, you know the common cold is nothing to be sneezed at.
But is the common cold as common as we think?
Dr Kean Seng Lim, a GP, said: “There are actually many different viruses which make up the common cold.
“Some of them will come on more with coughs and runny noses, some will have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fevers and some will actually get a bit of nausea or diahorrea with it sometimes.”
And it is the same with the flu, where this year's vaccine covers three main strains.
No matter what strain of the common cold or flu you have, none of them are very fun, so avoiding them is critical.
When it comes to flu, your first line of defence is vaccination. When it comes to the common cold, it all comes down to staying clean, starting with hand hygiene.
It might seem like simple stuff : but here's how to wash your hands and wash them well.
Wash between the fingers.
Wash the back of the hands
Wash the thumb, particularly your dominant thumb.
And don't forget cough etiquette either: cover your mouth up, to keep germs down.
