FLU: DOS AND DON’TS VIWE NDONGENI-NTLEBI
THE COMMON cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (URTI). Symptoms include a runny nose and sore throat, but no fever or body aches and pains. One of the biggest questions is whether you should exercise when you have a cold or flu.
COMMON MISTAKES WHEN WEARING A MASK
If you have symptoms of a cold, doing mild to moderate exercise (a brisk walk or slow jog) doesn’t appear to be harmful, but avoid high intensity exercise until a few days after the symptoms have disappeared. Bonitas recommends basic guidelines for exercise during infectious episodes. It is a good idea, though, to consult your doctor before you begin exercising:
LIFESTYLE REPORTER
AS THE nationwide lockdown eases, people are venturing back to work, school and the shops. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging, it is more important than ever to take precautions against spreading infection. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing and wash your hands regularly with soap. Dr Susan Louw, a pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Service and spokesperson for Dettol, notes “there’s a very clear link between poor hygiene and communicable diseases – disease processes such as typhoid, gastro-enteritis and the common flu, let alone Covid-19. So, if we can improve hygiene and hygiene routines in a community, we will definitely be able to have a positive impact on all communicable diseases”. When it comes to wearing a mask, there are several common mistakes many people make, which can undermine the whole point of wearing one.
DAY 1: Do not exercise strenuously when experiencing URTI symptoms like a sore throat, coughing, runny or congested nose. Avoid ALL exercise when experiencing symptoms like muscle/ joint pain and headache, fever and generalised feeling of malaise, diarrhoea or vomiting.
DAY 2: Avoid exercise if fever, diarrhoea or vomiting present, or if coughing increases. If no fever is present and there is no worsening of “above the collar” symptoms, undertake light exercise (heart rate less than 120 beats per minute) for 30-45 minutes (indoors during winter) by yourself.
5 tips to ensure
DAY 3:
If fever and URTI (or gastrointestinal) symptoms are still present, consult your doctor. If no fever is present and there is no worsening of initial symptoms, undertake moderate exercise (heart rate less than 150 beats per minute) for 45-60 minutes, preferably indoors and by yourself.
DAY 4: If there is no symptom relief, do not try to exercise, and go and see your doctor. If this is the first day of improved condition, wait one day without fever and with improvement of URTI or gastrointestinal symptoms before returning to exercise.
maximum protection:
wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. This prevents your hands from contaminating your mask, and vice versa.
1. Get the fit right. The mask should sit on the bridge of your nose (not balanced on the tip). It should cover your nose and mouth, and extend over your chin. The mask should fit snugly, without billowing out at the sides or leaving obvious gaps. Don’t leave your nose sticking out as you will still be able to inhale (and exhale) infectious droplets.
3. Don’t touch your mask while wearing it. When removing it, use the loops to take it off, rather than touching the fabric or the front of the mask. Don’t pull your mask down to rest on your chin or around your neck (or up onto your forehead). You’re obviously not protected while it is in this position and it may become contaminated.
2. Wash your hands before putting your mask on, and again before taking it off. Use soap and
4. Wash your mask frequently with hot water and detergent, and allow it to dry completely. Don’t
wear it when wet. Also, don’t wear the same mask for long periods or repeat occasions without washing it thoroughly in between, and always store it in a clean, dry place. 5. Finally, remember that while wearing a mask correctly can help to prevent the spread of coronavirus, it’s not a fail-safe. It is still possible to become infected. To stay safe, avoid going out unnecessarily and try to keep a distance of at least 2m between yourself and others. Remember to get in the habit of washing your hands with soap regularly, as this is an important way to prevent the spread of disease.
