Wash your mask frequently

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.

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:

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 not try to exercise, and go and see

per minute) for 30-45 minutes (indoors during winter) by yourself.

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

DAY 4:

If there is no symptom relief, do and by yourself. 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. 2. Wash your hands before putting your mask on, and again before taking it off. Use soap and

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.

COMMON MISTAKES

WHEN WEARING A MASK

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

5 tips to ensure maximum protection:

wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. This prevents your hands from contaminating your mask, and vice versa.

3. Don’t touch your mask of wearing one.

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.

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

while wearing it. When removing 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.