Avoid catching a family cold

Why do families suffer more from colds?

While the average adult suffers between two and three colds a year, children can catch between four and eight. Youngsters aged 6-10 have the highest flu infection rates, and school children rermain infectious for longer than adults.

Also, children touch up to 300 surfaces every 30 minutes, meaning that viruses spread more readily.

Add up all these factors, and if you've got kids, odds are you'll be sniffling your way through the winter months.

How to cut your chances of infection

Dr Dawn Harper, family GP and mum of three confirms that the Department of Health has got it right with its 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' campaign.

She says, 'Using a tissue is the first step in a simple process to reduce the risk of transmission of viruses, followed by throwing used tissues in the bin as soon as possible and then washing your hands.'

Other ways to cut your risk of catching a cold, according to Dr Dawn Harper and Kleenex anti-viral tissues:

• open windows to increase ventilation and lower humidity (thus reducing the risk of airborne viruses)
• wipe areas where germs can lurk, such as door knobs, telephones, light switches and counter tops
• use anti-viral tissues
• don't leave used tissues lying around
• get a good night's sleep to keep you healthy
• regular exercise to boost your immune system, especially outdoors
• eat a balanced, nutritious diet with plenty of fruit and veg to give your immune system a boost.

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