MNHQ needs your avoiding/surviving winter sniffles advice and tips.

Habbibu, totally understand about the flu thing - I've had it once and hope never to have it again! But I can't say I worry terribly about colds, at least not enough to do extra washing because of it. I am minging, though.

My fave tip for surviving winter bugs is...

If you can't beat 'em, bring 'em down with you.

In other words, save up a lovely big phlegmmy sneeze and release over a nice tempting (but bought or made cheaply of course - you wouldn't want to waste good cake) chocolate spongecake, and in a few days time when you are no feeling like death warmed up, offer it free to someone you reaaally hate.

'I've already eaten a whole one, you'll be saving me from myself!' usually does the trick.

Horton - in the event of a flu pandemic, hand-washing and avoiding touching stuff that may have the virus on it is the best thing you can do to protect yourself. I don't really bother with anything beyond normal cleanliness for colds, etc, but in the event of a pandemic I'd be right there with the soap and hand-sprays.

Same as Abbymumsnet, a couple of days ago posted about the efficacy of the flu job, now have pounding headache and sore throat and its DHs 40th birthday.

Keep warm, eat properly, get enough sleep and wash your hands when you've been out. V boring but it works.

I try burning tea tree oil for it's antibacterial properties to ward off germs, also buy tea tree shower gel etc, I'm sure we've been healthier since we started using it!! I expect it's a placebo effect but who cares if it works?
I used to take echinacea but found it gave me terrible headaches so I don't go near it these days.

Prevention - everyone washes hands when they come back into the house, and avoids touching their eyes, mouth or noses while they are out as this helps stop the viruses getting you!

Recovery - Manuka honey - sipped slowly off the spoon because any heat (e.g. in water) will kill the antibiotic/anti-viral element (this is why you should look for cold extracted Manuka).

When DH gets ill - he retreats to a bed in the spare room and is brought everything he needs, until I and the kids think he is better! DH also takes Echinacea but the rest of us don't as anyone with an allergy shouldn't take Echinacea.

Sambucol and menthol crystals to clear my head if it gets that far!

An apple a day. Tasty and works splendidly. DD gets a grated apple first thing every day. DP has to fend for himself and occasionally gets colds and a funny flu-like thing at the equinoxes and solstices . the weirdo.

Echinecha, take it at 1st sign of cold, plus take powdered vit c once a day, gets things shifted quickly.

Are people serious about washing hands and not touching things? That sounds a bit OTT to me.

Cure for Man Flue - slam bedroom door behind you. Ignore ALL hammering on floors from above.

To prevent colds - strawberries, lots and lots of strawberries.

To cure cold - Slam bedroom door so nobody can get in. You need portable TV, remote control, laptop with internet connection, chocolate and paracetamol.

Sickness and the runs - lots of water, immodium and your address book and phone so you can cancel all engagements for the duration. Newborn nappies inside your knix are also a comfort and save many a good bed sheet.

selenium and vitamin c supplemetns -definitely noticed I'm not so susceptible since taking em as has dh. also second whoever it was who suggested water and loads of it.

plus as much sleep as you can get..

Make sure you and DP/DW/DH/significant other don't get ill at the same time. The man flu hits and you have no hope of getting over the illness yourself!

Make sure the kids don't get ill when you are ill. Clearing up vomit when you have the flu is not fun.

Don't go out. Staying in is the new going out. You have tesco online and MN - what more do you need. People out there are infectious!! Avoid them!

elderberry tincture. Is miraculous.

fwiw (I'm not really a good example because lately I've been whinging about my 3 week old sinusitis) here's what I try to do:

1. get flu shot in October
2. keep air fairly humid (a problem with central heating)
3. drink lots of water
4. try to get enough sleep (tiredness wears down your immune system)
5. wash hands (we all do it as soon as we come in to the house)
6. eat fresh fruit & veg
7. take a homeopathic remedy as soon as 1st signs of flu/cold appear

Obviously my precautions don't always work!

My top tip is to spend 20 years or so attending every toddler group you can, helping in every class you can, and for bonus points have a spell working in childcare. You will end up with an immune system second to none and be impervious to most bugs.

LOL at chloesmumtoo btw.

When I pass someone with a cold I hold my breath for about 50 yards and walk fast too (not a convenient combo really)!
I did that even before I was a SAHM, but still had more colds when working.

I have noticed that I have definitely been far less stricken with colds etc since becoming a SAHM. When I do get the sniffles it is much less severe and doesn't last as long.

I am not sure of the logic here.

Maybe I worked in an unhealthily ventilated office with the air conditioning spreading germs around?

On the other hand it coiuld be that I am now more active, which in turn means I am fitter, and this somehow builds resistance.

Or it could just be that I am far too busy these days even to notice a minor cold and the worse ones just fade into insignificance with everything else going on.

Been avoiding every ill person whilst out shopping. Hold ya breath and run. I literally have been darting through the aisles lol! They prob think 'its that strange women again!! Been eating loads of garlic esp around the school play time. We escaped through christmas through (luckily) and been doing the wash hands frequently bit. Actually thought I was getting to be paranoid about it. Dd usually gets so ill with it all but had her first flu jab this year. Any friends visit ill, get the old dettox out and open the windows. Any threat of sore throat then gargle in salt and water early to prevent infection/toncilitus.

I have discovered a magical man-flu cure (wonder if it's subject dependent though).

Go totally over the top with sympathy. Cold compresses, special soft tissues, make sure they're warm enough at every opportunity, appear to be genuinely worried and wonder aloud if you ought to call the doctors. Stroke brow. Ask in soothing tones 'how are you feeling now?' just slightly too often.

Freaks. Them. Out. Never seen such a quick recovery.

Get more sleep. I am noticeably less ill than DH who gets up an hour earlier each day.

Wear a lovely warm hat in bed and cover throat and ears with scarf. Yes! Sweat is great, get your temperature up to kill the bugs off.

Take vitC and zinc at first signs of a cold. Ginger, fresh and ground raise the body temperature.

If you smell nitrous oxide on anyone's breath, hold you own breath and turn away to breathe - their nose is making this gas to kill bugs they already have and they are infectious. Nitrous oxide smells 'cold' and metallic.

Wear gloves in public, and on public transport. Or, press all buttons in public with the back of and and wash hands when you come in.

Don't use money - use your cards.

Get the flu vaccine if you are compromised in any way.

Go to the doctor if one bottle of cough medicine hasn't shifted the phlegm. Pneumonia lives on that phlegm in your lungs, you probably need antibiotics if you have a lot of phlegm, and have had a productive cough for longer than 10 days. bring a sample of the phlegm in a bottle for the GP to send it to the labs for a more accurate diagnosis.

Steam is brilliant for clearing your phlegm out.
Saline water in your nostrils to clear them out and kill bugs. Use a nedi pipe to pour slaty water through your nose.

Guess who had pneumonia for four months last year?!!!