How to keep illnesses away in the family

If something turns family dynamics upside down, it is when someone at home gets sick.

And when it comes to an infectious disease, HELP! They fall into bed one after another and, usually, it's your turn to take care of them even if you feel just as terrible.

You would have to live in a bubble to eradicate colds, colds, flu or infectious diseases that arrive with changes in climate, or due to bacteria and viruses that float in the environment .

But here you are going to learn how to ward off illnesses as a family with a fully functioning immune system and other important actions.

How diseases are spread at home

The most common way to contract an infectious disease is through germs that are passed from one person to another. Also, by an infected animal.

Just imagine. Someone near you coughs or sneezes and bacteria, viruses or germs are released and enter your body. After a few hours or days you feel the discomfort. And you, who don't even remember the incident, wonder: where did I get infected?

From then on, all you have to do is kiss your partner or hug your children so that the disease has free rein at home.

The surfaces of tables, toys, handrails, handles, keys and more are receptors for many germs . For example, if you grab a handle that someone else with the flu had grabbed, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose without washing your hands, you could infect yourself and the rest of your loved ones.

How to prevent illnesses in the family

If you want to know how to prevent illnesses as a family, everyone has to take measures both inside and out.

And if they do not have a strong immune system, nothing will prevent infections from taking over the home . But if they do not take hygiene and coexistence measures, it will be difficult for them not to continue getting infected year after year.

How to take care of yourself from the outside

• Make sure everyone washes their hands with soap and water frequently. It is the most effective way to keep microbes at bay:
• Before, during and after preparing food, or when eating.
• When you arrive from school, university, the office or from the street.
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick, treating wounds or cuts.
• After using the bathroom, changing diapers, or cleaning up a child who went to the bathroom.
• After blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or wiping a child's snot.
• After touching animals, their food or their excrement.
• After touching garbage.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue . Throw the tissue into a covered trash can and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces in your home , particularly those that are touched regularly, such as doorknobs, toys, faucets, or phone screens.
• Try to keep the house warm , with an adequate level of humidity and try to ventilate it daily (a minimum of 10 minutes).
• Avoid closed places that are very crowded and sudden changes in temperatures .

How to maintain a strong immune system from within

• Maintain healthy and balanced eating habits . Includes vegetables, fruits, grains, foods rich in vitamins A and C, whole grains and oilseeds.
• Get enough sleep so your body can recover and your immune system can strengthen.
• Exercising causes positive changes in disease-fighting cells.
• Look for options to avoid stress . Stress generates a lot of adrenaline and cortisol, which decreases white blood cells.
• Stay hydrated. It has been shown that water generates better defenses against infections such as the flu.
• Consume Vitamin C supplements daily . It is the nutrient that has been shown the most to support the immune system to protect them from diseases by scientific journals such as Scielo.

Remember: if someone at home has an infectious disease with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, visit the doctor.

Stay sheltered for at least 10 days from when symptoms start and three days after they disappear, or until your doctor tells you to.