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Best tip: Boost your immune system

The weather this winter -- ideal for catching a cold or developing a fever -- promises to be around for a while.

To help stay healthy while trudging through the cold and ice, Family Medicine practitioner at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Michelle Eisenhower, M.D., offers these recommendations.

“Focus on nutrition,” she advises. Eat a balanced diet. Foods with whole grains, along with fruits and vegetables, can stimulate your immune system in addition to providing beneficial vitamins. “Avoid processed foods and those high in fat and sugar because they may actually suppress the immune system,” she says.

Drinking plenty of liquids can help you to stay healthier and be more energized. Because of their high water content, fresh fruit and vegetables are good alternatives to water. Avoid too many sodas; caffeinated and alcoholic drinks can promote dehydration.

Dr. Eisenhower points out that we all sometimes miss the obvious. “Staying home when you are sick is more important than people realize,” she says. “By remaining home, you are not sharing your germs with your co-workers.”

Washing your hands regularly is another easy way to ensure that you aren’t carrying around germs and disease. For example, after you arrive at the office or home from riding public transportation, wash your hands. “Washing until you recite the entire alphabet is a good guideline to wash away germs,” Dr. Eisenhower says.

“Also, get a good night’s rest,” Dr. Eisenhower continues. “It fires up your immune system to fend off unwanted germs.” Another way to protect yourself from germs is to try to avoid stress. “Your immune system can be weakened by stress and make you vulnerable to germs by lowering your natural resistance. Your white blood cells may be depleted or they may not function as well when you are under stress,” she adds.

Dr. Eisenhower recommends supplementing your cold defenses by taking zinc and vitamin C. Studies have shown that zinc may prevent cold viruses from reproducing themselves and it can be taken easily through lozenges. Taking vitamin C once you become ill may enable you to recover more quickly and suppress your symptoms.

Despite the fact that you have followed all of these tips, you may still wake up one morning feeling sick. You may have a bad cold, the flu or have flu-like symptoms. In order to better identify what ails you, Dr. Eisenhower suggests the following: The flu comes with body aches, high fevers and symptoms that can last up to two weeks. If you are seen by a physician within 48 hours, anti-flu medication can be prescribed that shortens the duration of the flu. A cold, on the other hand, has respiratory symptoms, no fever and the treatment is symptomatic.

There are no recommended antibiotics to treat a cold.

During the cold and flu season, call your physician if you have body aches, decreased appetite or high fevers. Dr. Eisenhower also suggests calling your physician whenever you are unsure about these symptoms.

Keep good communication with your family doctor, Dr. Eisenhower suggests. Be upfront and honest during routine visits and establish treatment goals together.

Michelle Eisenhower, M.D., is a family medicine practitioner who sees patients of all ages and likes the opportunity to be able to educate people about the cold and flu season and how they can best protect themselves.

Her practice is located at Sobel Medical Associates, P.C. at 1015 Chestnut Street, Suite 1500, Philadelphia. For an appointment, call 215-955-2920 or 1-800-JEFF-NOW.