COLDS

Most people catch colds by inhaling the cold virus from someone who is ill or by having hand-to-hand contact with them. Contrary to popular belief, cold air won't make you more vulnerable to catching a cold, but dry air will. Here are a few tips to help you avoid a cold this season.

— Wash your hands frequently.

— Avoid close contact with anyone suffering from a cold. Cold viruses easily spread from the hands of someone who is ill to the eyes, nose and hands of someone who is not. Cold viruses are also easily spread through sneezing.

— Keep kitchen and bathroom counter tops clean, especially when someone in your family has a cold.

— Discard used tissues right away.

— When indoors, make sure the air is not too dry. Dry nasal passages are more vulnerable to the cold virus.

— Quit smoking. Those who smoke are more susceptible to colds and other respiratory illnesses.

INFLUENZA

While most people consider influenza a seasonal annoyance, it is a viral disease which can develop into more serious illnesses, sometimes resulting in death. Like a cold, influenza is spread through close contact with someone who is infected. Tips for avoiding colds are also effective in avoiding flu. There are also vaccines and drugs which can buffer your resistance.

Get an annual flu shot

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends an annual flu shot for people at high risk for complications from influenza. These include people over 65 and those with chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders. The best time to get a flu shot in the United States is in the fall, between September and mid-November. For more information on flu shots visit the flu shot page at Mayo Health Oasis.

Get a prescription for antiviral drugs

Two prescription drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, have been proven effective against the Influenza Type A virus. Doctors generally prescribe these for those who risk serious complications from the flu virus. The drugs are not effective against the Influenza types B and C virus. For more information on these drugs, see the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet on Antiviral Drugs for Influenza Type A.