There are hundreds of different viruses that can cause the common cold but the most common are from the rhinovirus family. The virus spreads through tiny droplets during coughing, sneezing, and nose-blowing.

This list provides more ways to protect yourself and prevent the spreading the virus to your friends and family:

1. Wash your hands frequently especially before meals – cold viruses can live for several hours on hard surfaces such has door handles and telephones.
2. Sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow to protect those around you and to prevent spread.
3. Increase your consumption of nutrient dense vegetables – at least one from each category each day: leafy green, brassica (kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts), and something colourful (peppers, beets, carrots).
4. Get a good night’s sleep – each hour you’re asleep before midnight counts as an extra hour! Who couldn’t use an extra hour of sleep each night?!

As a naturopathic physician practicing in B.C., I offer IV vitamin therapy to boost my patient’s immune systems.  IV’s are a great way to get high doses of nutrients that provide building blocks for hormones, neurotransmitters, and other systems in our bodies that bypass the digestive system and go straight into the bloodstream. Don’t let a cold or flu plague your family this fall, there are numerous treatments that aim to boost your immune system to prevent a cold or flu.

Get more tips on boosting your immune system, and preventing allergies, colds and flu’s here