The journey to the clinic today was worryingly filled with people coughing, sneezing and sniffing all around me. Poor them and poor me! Luckily for me and for you, I have a few tips to help prevent catching a cold this Winter and boosting your immunity more generally. But first, I need to address a few myths.

Myth number 1: Take vitamin C! I’m so sorry to tell you that research has found  no evidence that vitamin C prevents colds. No, really. It can reduce the length and severity of colds but it won’t stop you getting one.

Myth number 2: Getting cold and wet causes colds! Actually, the only thing that causes a cold is a cold virus. However, if you’re already carrying the virus in your nose, it might allow symptoms to develop. Getting cold can cause the blood vessels in your nose to constrict, affecting your defences and making it easier for the virus to replicate.

So what works:

Eat a healthy diet! That is a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and plenty of fluids.

Take regular exercise! Exercise is a great way to boost immunity and prevent symptoms developing.

Drink plenty of warm drinks! These keep bacteria and other nasties at bay in the mouth and throat.

Wash your hands!  If you live with other people and work with other people, colds and flus will be spread much less if you all commit to keeping your hands washed after sneezing or coughing. Viruses can be passed through the air and through objects touched after you’ve coughed or sneezed into your hands.

Avoid touching your eyes and nose! The viruses that cause flu and colds enter the body through the nose and the eyes. If you have any infected mucus or sputum on your hands from objects or others, you pass the virus into your body by touching your eyes and nose.

Have a healthy Winter!