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You will need to do things like washing your hands and such.

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Most people experience colds or the flu from time to time. However, there are some proven ways to reduce the chances of becoming infected.

Although most cold and flu infections occur during the fall and winter seasons, the viruses responsible for these illnesses are present year-round.

Fighting off a viral infection takes its toll on most people, causing them to miss days at work and valuable time with their friends and families.

In this article, we describe eight evidence-based ways to avoid getting sick, so people can maintain their health and make the most of their time.

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Getting vaccinated offers the strongest protection against seasonal flu infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against seasonal flu infections.

The flu occurs when a person becomes infected with an influenza virus. Flu vaccines contain influenza antigens, which signal the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies can protect against invading flu viruses and keep people from getting sick.

There are four types of influenza virus, all of which can mutate throughout the year. These mutations can reduce the effectiveness of seasonal flu vaccines. If the vaccine is well-matched to the circulating influenza virus, it can prevent 40-60 percent of flu infections.

While flu vaccines do not guarantee total immunity, they can reduce the severity of symptoms and lower the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Below are some other reasons to get a flu shot:

The CDC estimate that flu vaccination prevented influenza illnesses between 2016 and 2017.

According to a 2018 study, during 2012-2015, adults in New Zealand who had received a flu vaccination were 59 percent less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit due to the flu, compared with individuals who were not vaccinated.

A 2017 study found that flu vaccinations reduced the number of flu-related deaths in children aged 6 months to 17 years by 65 percent.

Viruses can survive on many different types of surface, including:

How long a virus can remain infectious on these surfaces depends on a variety of factors, such as the temperature and humidity. However, a 2016 study suggests that influenza viruses can survive outside the body for extended periods, possibly even months.

People can lower their risk of infection by using products that contain alcohol or bleach to disinfect frequently used objects, such as countertops, desks, and keyboards.

When using disinfectants and cleaning products, it is essential to read the labels and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that surfaces are properly disinfected.

Common colds and the flu are types of respiratory infection. The viruses that cause these illnesses replicate in the mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract, and they can travel through the air in tiny droplets of mucus.

This means that people with a cold or the flu can spread the virus whenever they cough or sneeze. For example, influenza viruses can travel up to 3.7 meters, around 12.2 feet, through the air after a person coughs or sneezes.

People can reduce the risk of infecting others by staying home when they are ill and covering their faces when they sneeze or cough.

Washing the hands regularly is an effective way to protect against viral infections.

Viruses can enter the respiratory tract through a person's eyes, nose, or mouth. A person can infect themselves by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their face.

Washing the hands regularly and thoroughly with clean water and soap is an effective way to protect against viral infections. According to the CDC, proper hand washing can result in a 16-21 percent decrease in respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.

If soap is not available, a person can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. A range of hand sanitizers are available to purchase online.

Zinc is an important micronutrient that occurs naturally in meat, fish, nuts, and other foods.

According to a 2016 review, zinc deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response and inflammatory skin conditions. People with a weakened immune response are less able to fight off infections.

A 2017 meta-analysis suggests that zinc lozenges can reduce the duration of common colds by about 33 percent. Participants in the study were consuming between 80 and 207 milligrams of zinc per day.

Dietary fiber has many health benefits, including regulating digestion, preventing constipation, and lowering the risk of a number of health conditions.

A 2018 study in mice suggests that dietary fiber may also boost the immune system.

The researchers compared the immune responses in mice that ate a low-fiber diet with those that ate a high-fiber diet. The results of the study suggest that the short-chain fatty acids present in dietary fiber enhanced the mice's immunity to influenza infections.

Smoking is a known risk factor for several diseases, such as cancer, asthma, and respiratory infections. Breathing in secondhand smoke can also increase a person's risk of developing these conditions.

People who smoke or regularly inhale cigarette smoke are also more likely to experience severe symptoms when they get colds or the flu. According to a 2018 review, cigarette smoke can affect the immune system and reduce a person's ability to fight off infections.

Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke are great ways to improve overall health and reduce the chances of getting sick.

Participating in regular physical activity reduces the risk of a number of illnesses.

Regular physical activity can improve a person's general health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of a number of illnesses, including:

In addition to these benefits, research from 2016 indicates that physical activity can also improve a person's immune function and decrease their risk of respiratory infections.

A also examined the benefits of meditation and exercise for preventing acute respiratory infections. The 8-week study followed 390 participants, who the researchers had randomly assigned to one of three groups:

no training (control group)

mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training

moderate-intensity exercise (EX) training

The researchers reported a 14-33 percent reduction in the number of acute respiratory infections among participants in the MBSR and EX groups, compared with the control group.

People in the MBSR and EX groups who developed acute respiratory infections also experienced less severe symptoms.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services state that any physical activity is better than none.

However, to experience substantial health benefits, they recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. A person can spread this activity throughout the week.

Viruses are present all year, but there are ways to prepare for cold and flu season and to reduce the chances of becoming sick.

Getting an annual flu vaccine and practicing good hygiene are great ways for a person to protect themselves and others.

Some lifestyle and dietary changes that can reduce the likelihood of getting sick include regular exercise, increasing zinc and fiber intake, and quitting smoking.

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How to not get sick: 8 ways to avoid colds and the flu

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If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Most people experience colds or the flu from time to time. However, there are some proven ways to reduce the chances of becoming infected.

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Schizophrenia and 9 Other Diseases That Are Incurable

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Schizophrenia and 9 Other Diseases That Are Incurable

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Diseases that have no cure.

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Every day, researchers and medical professionals make amazing advancements toward finding effective treatments for numerous diseases. We've never been better off than we are now, and for much of the world, the days of dying from scurvy and simple bacterial infections are long gone. While many ailments that would have killed us 100 years ago are no longer a threat, there's still a long road ahead of us when it comes to curing other ailments. Here are 10 diseases medical professionals still have not found a cure for.

1. Alzheimer's disease

Though we've all heard of this disease, the Alzheimer's Association says there's still no cure. It's the most common form of dementia, the organization mentions, which is the catch-all term for having difficulties with memory, thinking, or reasoning that are serious enough to interfere with day-to-day living.

The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's is age, though this disease doesn't necessarily only appear in those 65 and older. In fact, early-onset cases have been documented in those in their 40s. On average, those with Alzheimer's live about eight years after their symptoms start to affect them negatively.

There may not be a cure, but there are certainly treatments to consider. Some medications may be given to temporarily aid in confusion and memory loss, and the depression and anxiety from Alzheimer's can also be treated.

2. Diabetes

To understand the threat of diabetes, it's important to know what role insulin plays. This hormone comes from the pancreas and helps your cells use glucose, a type of sugar, for energy. Without regulated insulin, your blood sugar can rise to unsafe levels and put you at risk for other diseases.

The American Diabetes Association says children and young adults are most often diagnosed with type 1, a condition where body does not produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, which makes up 95% of all cases, the body develops insulin resistance, which results in high blood sugar. Though there's no cure for either, those with type 2 can help control their blood glucose by eating right and exercising.

3. HIV/AIDS

AIDS is one of the most widely recognized sexually transmitted diseases, but many don't fully understand the difference between this and the HIV virus. AIDS.gov says the latter is what you first contract through either sexual or blood contact with someone else who has the virus. HIV then attacks the immune system and, if left untreated, you become more susceptible to infections later in life. This virus can be so destructive, in fact, that it can weaken the body to the point where many diseases or infections becomes nearly impossible to fend off.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the final and most advanced stage of HIV. Not everyone who has HIV reaches this stage, but if it progresses to this point, you become susceptible to infections most people don't need to worry about. This makes strains of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens potentially deadly.

There's no cure for HIV or AIDS, but medications can be taken to boost immunity and halt the virus's progression.

4. Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease itself fatal by itself, but its effects are often serious and can cause life-threatening complications down the line. The National Parkinson Foundation explains this disease affects the way your brain produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps our nervous system, motor skills, and brain all function well. If you have an insufficient amount of dopamine, you're less able to regulate your movements, behaviors, and emotions.

Noticeable symptoms occur when between 60% and 80% of the cells that produce dopamine are so damaged that very little of this neurotransmitter is being released, the organization explains. In the beginning stages, you may have slight tremors or a change in posture, but it's nothing that seems too serious. Eventually, though, these symptoms progress until day-to-day activities cannot be completed without assistance. There's currently no cure or even standard treatment for Parkinson's - each person is treated based on their specific symptoms, though medication and surgical therapy is typical.

5. Multiple sclerosis

There's a lot of mystery surrounding multiple sclerosis, which makes it all the more difficult for those who've been diagnosed. The disease causes your immune system to attack your central nervous system, says the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There's not a single cause of the disease, though doctors believe there are several factors that play a role: the immune system, genetics, exposure to other viruses, and environment.

Symptoms vary from person to person, and they can also fluctuate over time. It's common for those with MS to have difficulty walking, a general feeling of stiffness, problems with vision, chronic pain, and dizziness. When it comes to managing the disease, medications, therapies, and rehabilitation are useful for most who are diagnosed. Even still, treatment is an ongoing process that is specifically catered toward what the individual needs.

6. Lupus

Though more people are becoming aware of lupus, a cure has not been found. The Lupus Foundation of America explains it's is a chronic disease where the immune system produces antibodies that attack healthy cells and tissue, which then causes inflammation, pain, and damage. Lupus affects a wide variety of organs, which means many different symptoms are associated with the disease and no two cases look exactly the same. Typically, extreme fatigue, headaches, swelling in the feet and legs, and chest pain are common. These symptoms look a lot like those of other diseases, so it can be quite difficult to diagnose.

Each patient's treatment plan looks different, but doctors generally try to reduce inflammation, halt the immune system from overreacting, and minimize any damage to the organs. While lupus can range from mild to severe, most people can live a long, healthy life with proper treatment.

7. Polio

Thanks to vaccines, no one worries too much about polio anymore, but it's still worth noting some countries still struggle with it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains this disease starts with the poliovirus, which can cause lifelong paralysis or death. Prior to the vaccines, polio caused more than 15,000 cases of paralysis per year in the states. Risk is now generally low, but travelers from other countries who have the disease can still potentially bring it into the U.S. This is why getting vaccinated is still extremely important.

What's scary about polio is that many adults and children with it never even know they have the disease, says Mayo Clinic. Nonparalytic polio doesn't lead to paralysis and just causes mild, flu-like symptoms. In rarer cases, though, the infection can lead to paralysis. The disease is incredibly contagious, and those who have it can unknowingly spread it to others, which can obviously lead to some serious outbreaks.

8. Asthma

The majority of people with asthma are able to manage it with treatment, but still there is no cure. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology explains this condition involves chronically inflamed airways. Asthma limits the air passage and makes it difficult to breathe. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest are all common symptoms.

There are many forms of this disease, and different factors can trigger the inflammation. Exercise-induced asthma, for example, causes airway constriction during physical activity, while occupational asthma is caused from inhaling fumes or harmful gases on the job. If you have asthma, your doctor will likely prescribe an inhaler or another medication to control symptoms.

9. Schizophrenia

The causes of schizophrenia aren't known and, while there's no cure, there are several treatments available. This disease affects how a person reacts, thinks, and feels, says the National Institute of Mental Health. And though uncommon, the effects can be severe. Some people have hallucinations, others have a difficult time connecting with their emotions, and still others have trouble with their memory. Scientists tend to think there are specific genes that can increase the risk of developing this disease, but no one gene causes the illness all on its own. Additionally, malnutrition at birth and exposure to viruses could be risk factors.

The therapies available for those with schizophrenia focus on treating the symptoms of the disease. Mayo Clinic highlights those available, including a few classes of antipsychotics as well as psychosocial interventions.

10. Cancer

The second leading cause of death in the U.S. is cancer and, unfortunately, rates continue to rise. The American Cancer Society explains the disease begins when unhealthy cells start to grow out of control until there are more of these cells than normal cells. It can start anywhere in the body - in your internal organs, the skin, or even the blood. Cancerous cells can also start one place and travel to another, causing an even more dire situation.

Though there isn't a cure, there are effective treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery that have helped many live long, full lives. While the exact cause of cancer is unknown, avoiding carcinogens can help. And, of course, living and active and healthy lifestyle can help minimize risk.

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Schizophrenia and 9 Other Diseases That Are Incurable

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Every day, researchers and medical professionals make amazing advancements toward finding effective treatments for numerous diseases. We've never been better off than we are now, and for much of the world, the days of dying from scurvy and simple bacterial infections are long gone.

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Your body fights the bad cells from the sickness.

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Infection with a pathogen does not necessarily lead to disease. Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection and signs and symptoms of an illness appear. The incidence of disease among those infected varies greatly depending on the particular pathogen and individual susceptibility.

Many of the symptoms that make a person suffer during an infection-fever, malaise, headache, rash-result from the activities of the immune system trying to eliminate the infection from the body.

In response to infection, your immune system springs into action. White blood cells, antibodies, and other mechanisms go to work to rid your body of the foreign invader. Indeed, many of the symptoms that make a person suffer during an infection-fever, malaise, headache, rash-result from the activities of the immune system trying to eliminate the infection from the body.

Pathogenic microbes challenge the immune system in many ways. Viruses make us sick by killing cells or disrupting cell function. Our bodies often respond with fever (heat inactivates many viruses), with the secretion of a chemical called interferon (which blocks viruses from reproducing), or by marshaling the immune system's antibodies and other cells to target the invader. Many bacteria make us sick in the same way that viruses do, but they also have other strategies at their disposal. Sometimes bacteria multiply so rapidly they crowd out host tissues and disrupt normal function. Sometimes they kill cells and tissues outright. Sometimes they make toxins that can paralyze, destroy cells' metabolic machinery, or precipitate a massive immune reaction that is itself toxic.

Other classes of microbes attack the body in different ways:

Trichinella spiralis, the parasitic worm (helminth) that causes trichinosis, enters the body encased in cysts residing in undercooked meat. Pepsin and hydrochloric acid in our bodies help free the larvae in the cysts to enter the small intestine, where they molt, mature, and ultimately produce more larvae that pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. At that point they are free to reach various organs. Those that reach skeletal muscle cells can survive and form new cysts, thus completing their life cycle.

Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, grows in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Spores of the fungus emerge from disturbed soil and once inhaled into the lungs germinate and transform into budding yeast cells. In its acute phase, the disease causes coughing and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes histoplasmosis affects multiple organ systems and can be fatal unless treated.

The protozoa that cause malaria, which are members of the genus Plasmodium, have complex life cycles. Sporozoites, the stage of the parasite that infects new hosts, develop in the salivary glands of Anopheles mosquitos. They leave the mosquito during a blood meal from a human, enter the host's liver, and multiply. Cells infected with sporozoites eventually burst, releasing another cell form, merozoites, into the bloodstream. These cells infect red blood cells and then rapidly reproduce, destroying the red blood cell hosts and releasing many new merozoites to do further damage. Most merozoites continue to reproduce in this way, but some differentiate into sexual forms (gametocytes) that are taken up by the female mosquito, thus completing the protozoan life cycle.

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Infection with a pathogen does not necessarily lead to disease. Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection and signs and symptoms of an illness appear.

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11 Gross Things That Can Happen When You Don't Wash Your Hands Enough

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11 Gross Things That Can Happen When You Don't Wash Your Hands Enough

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You can get sick by not washing your hands and by touching stuff that has germs.

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Even though it isn't guaranteed to cause health problems, there are quite a few gross things that can happen when you don't wash your hands. Because, as we all know, germs are everywhere. And it often doesn't take much to pick them up throughout the day, or pass them along to others.

Thankfully, the immune system usually steps in before bacteria and viruses can do any real damage. But if you aren't washing your hands regularly, you may be unnecessarily putting yourself at risk. After all, "the number one way to prevent disease is hand washing," Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, tells Bustle. So even though it can be easy to put it off, it's much healthier to pop off to the bathroom and give your mitts a quick scrub, especially after coming in contact with dirty surfaces or if you happen to be sick.

"The best hand washing technique is to rinse hands under warm water, then lather with soap for 20 to 30 seconds, getting all areas of the hands," Brianne Bell, registered dietician and food service supervisor, tells Bustle. "Rinse under warm water and dry with a clean towel." That should help reduce the risk of all the gross things below, which may be more likely to happen if you don't wash your hands.

1. You Might Catch More Colds

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 80 percent of infectious disease is spread by touch. And really, all it takes is the simple act of grabbing a germ-riddled doorknob and then touching your nose, in order to get infected. So let this serve as motivation to whip out the soap on a more regular basis, not only for your own sake, but for everyone else's health as well.

Of course, that doesn't mean you need to become paranoid. Most of the time your body protect you from germs, especially if your immune system is strong. But even still, washing up whenever you've been around someone with a cold is always a good idea.

2. Fecal Matter Can End Up In Your Food

It's a gross truth, but fecal matter is lurking in more places than you might think - including your hands. And rather disgustingly, those particles can get into food and make you sick, according to the CDC.

It may not be something you want to imagine. But as long as you're washing your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, walking your dog, or even using public transportation, you should be able to lower your risk.

3. You Could Get Or Spread Food Poisoning

There are many ways to come down with a case of food poisoning, including eating undercooked meats, or food that has gone bad. You can also get pretty darn sick by preparing meals with dirty hands. (See above information about fecal matter).

According to the CDC, a large percentage of food-borne disease outbreaks are spread by contaminated hands. But appropriate hand washing practices can reduce the risk of food-borne illness and other infections. So do yourself, and everyone else, a huge favor by washing before you handle food.

4. You're Infecting Everyone You Touch

Sure, it's polite to cover your sneeze with your hand than it is to let if fly. And yet, how often do you really wash up after doing so? It's easy to forget, or to touch a few surfaces first - and just like that the germs spread.

Again, hand washing is the best way to prevent the transfer of disease, which is why "this is one of the first things you learn in medical school or in any health profession," Dr. Trattner says.

In a pinch, using hand sanitizer can cut back on the transfer of germs, Bell says. But nothing beats a good ol' scrub when it comes to reducing the amount of bacteria and viruses on your hands.

5. You Can Get Pink Eye

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an eye infection many people catch in elementary school, mostly because it's highly contagious and thus spreads like wildfire among kids. But adults can get it, too.

In fact, often all it takes is a quick moment of hand-to-eye contact when you have an infected person's secretions on your hand, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, before the typical symptoms of redness, itchiness, and pus in the eyes will begin.

6. Your Snacks Can Get Contaminated

Think of all the times you've plunged a dirty hand into a bag of chips, box of crackers, or bowl of popcorn. If you aren't washing your hands, it's so easy to contaminate these shared foods with germs, according to the New York State Department of Health.

This is also why you may not want to share food or utensils with someone who is sick, especially if they have the norovirus. According to the CDC, if you get the norovirus illness, you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can't see without a microscope, and it only takes a few of these particles to make people sick.

7. You Might Pick Up Hepatitis A

Not washing your hands can also lead to hepatitis A. "This is a serious liver virus that spreads when people do not wash their hands before making food and drinks," Dr. Tania Elliott, board-certified allergist/immunologist at NYU Langone Health, tells Bustle. "It also spreads through sexual contact with people who have hepatitis A, and by eating foods contaminated with the virus."

You can, however, make it less likely to happen. As Dr. Elliott says, "Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before making food and drinks can help stop the spread of hepatitis A."

8. Diarrhea May Become A Frequent Visitor

Not washing your hands regularly can increase your chances of catching an illness that leads to diarrhea. One of these might be shigellosis, a bacterial infection with symptoms that include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, according to the CDC.

There is good news, though, in that simply washing your hands - especially after coming in contact with germ-y surfaces - can prevent about 30 percent of diarrhea-related sicknesses, the CDC says.

9. You Might Catch The Epstein-Barr Virus

We talked about poop in your food. Now what about urine, or saliva? Turns out, these are carriers of diseases like typhoid, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus, which are spread by contaminated hands, according to the CDC.

Epstein-Barr is the virus that causes mononucleosis, AKA the "kissing disease," which can lead to fever, weakness, swollen neck glands, and fatigue that lasts for weeks. "This is spread through saliva, so kissing, sharing food or beverages, or touching something with saliva on it are all ways in which it can be transmitted," Dr. Elliott says. "Hand washing, especially after touching the face and mouth [...] can help prevent the spread."

10. It Could Contribute To Antibiotic Resistance

According to the CDC, reducing the number of infections people get by washing your hands can help prevent the overuse of antibiotics, which is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world.

"Antibiotics are often overused when someone has a viral infection (remember, antibiotics only fight bacterial infections, not viruses)," Dr. Elliott says. "So, the fewer viral infections (by proper hand washing and other sanitary measures), the less use of unnecessary antibiotics."

In fact, hand washing can also prevent people from getting sick with germs that are already resistant to antibiotics and that can be difficult to treat, according to the CDC. So help out everyone on the planet, and wash your those hands!

11. Acne Can Crop Up

Not washing your hands can also increase the chances of an acne breakout, all thanks to the way bacteria can transfer from your hands to your face.

"Touching, rubbing, and picking [at the] face are common causes for more acne," Dr. Yoram Harth, board-certified dermatologist and medical director of MDacne, tells Bustle. "When the hands are not washed, the bacteria on the skin of our hands spread to the face and can cause more acne."

Germs truly are lurking around every corner. And they can obviously cause and spread all sorts of diseases, from the common cold, to the norovirus, and even hepatitis A. But by getting into the habit of washing your hands regularly - especially before touching food - you may be able to enjoy a more germ-free life.
This post was originally published on 4/12/2016. It was updated on 6/7/2019.

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11 Gross Things That Can Happen When You Don't Wash Your Hands Enough

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Even though it isn't guaranteed to cause health problems, there are quite a few gross things that can happen when you don't wash your hands. Because, as we all know, germs are everywhere. And it often doesn't take much to pick them up throughout the...