20 ways to beat those bugs THIS WINTER

Some simple lifestyle tweaks are all it takes to help you avoid the seasonal sniffles

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1 Don’t touch your face

It can transfer viruses, such as Covid-19, into your system. A study in 2015 found we touch our faces on average 23 times an hour! Also, catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and throw them straight into the bin.

2 Wash hands

A staggering 80% of viruses are spread by touch. Washing hands regularly with soap and hot running water is the most effective prevention – including against Covid-19. ‘Wash both palms and fingertips and around rings, as bacteria can lodge there,’ says Prof Anthony Hilton, a reader in microbiology at Aston University. Be sure to wash for 20 seconds.

3 Cut back on sugar

Too much affects our white blood cells’ ability to kill germs and fight infection.

4 Chew garlic

When chewed, the all in compound in garlic turns into allicin, known to boost the immune system. In a study, those given a supplement containing allicin had fewer colds than the placebo group and recovered faster.

5 Get a flu jab

You’ll be offered it on the NHS if you’re over 65; pregnant; have an immunity-compromising condition; are taking immunity-suppressing medication; are a frontline worker or carer; or are over 50 this year, as the Government tries to ease pressure on the NHS due to the pandemic.

6 Stay warm