Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications  and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about cold and flu season. You can be vaccinated against the flu, but the vaccine isn’t always 100 percent effective, and there is no vaccine against the cold. But there’s still a way to help protect yourself from illness, and it’s remarkably simple.

Dr. R. Doug Hardy, an infectious disease expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says the simplest and best germ-fighting tactic is to wash your hands thoroughly and often. That’s especially important after you’ve been in a high-traffic environment such as a shopping mall or after you’ve had close contact with other people. Avoid putting your hands around your face until you’ve had a chance to wash. Use lots of soap and water or use hand sanitizer. You can also help strengthen your immune system during cold and flu season by getting plenty of rest and eating a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/infectiousdiseases to learn more about
UT Southwestern’s clinical services in infectious diseases.

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