Experts are predicting a surge in respiratory infections this winter
With chillier conditions fast approaching, health experts are forecasting a spike in respiratory illnesses like flu and Covid, which transmit more readily in indoor environments. Covid cases have already been on the rise in recent weeks, with two new strains spreading rapidly and causing symptoms such as a hoarse voice and painful sore throat.
Immunisation teams are striving to reach millions of eligible individuals for free NHS vaccinations, though these can take up to two weeks to become fully effective in the immune system.
Britons are also being encouraged to adopt straightforward measures that can lower their chances of contracting an illness. Dr Crystal Wyllie, from Asda Online Doctor, outlined four methods to strengthen your immune defences before winter arrives.
1. Make healthier choices
When you’re in good general health, your body is typically better equipped to ward off infection. Dr Wyllie explained: “A healthy immune system is essential for recognising and fighting invading pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.”
She added: “The easiest way to help boost your immune system is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables, and exercising regularly are all natural steps you can take to help your immune system function normally.”
2. Make sure vaccines are up to date
For those who are eligible, refreshing your immunity through free Covid or flu injections remains a vital way to ward off infection, reports the Express. Every year, specialists work hard to determine the appropriate vaccine formula by analysing flu trends to anticipate which strains will emerge.
Dr Wyllie said: “Staying up to date on vaccines teaches your immune system how to create the antibodies needed to fight certain diseases. It is much safer and easier for your immune system to build its defences through vaccinations than by catching the disease.”
3. Stop smoking
The health dangers linked to smoking are widely recognised, but you may not realise that quitting can also strengthen your immune system.
Dr Wyllie explained: “Many of the components in cigarettes can impair the body’s ability to fight off infection, leaving you more vulnerable. Smokers are typically more likely to contract respiratory infections like cold and flu.”
She added: “Your adaptive immune system, the part responsible for remembering and responding to threats, can be negatively impacted from smoking. It can take years for your immune system to recover after quitting smoking, so the sooner you decide to stop, the better.”
4. Reduce stress
Dr Wyllie noted: “It’s also important to minimise stress; stress releases cortisol, suppresses your immune system, and can interfere with digestion and blood pressure. Chronic stress can decrease your body’s lymphocytes that fight off infection, putting you more at risk of common colds and cold sores.”
Cutting down on stress might be easier said than done, but discovering calming pastimes and making time to relax at day’s end can be beneficial.
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