What to do if you get the cold (influenza) or flue in Canada and Montreal?

Hi from Montreal,

As immigrant it happened to me a lot on my 1st year. I've never got as often and strong as I've got a cold in here. Don't go to the hospital for it, it takes hours waiting. Go instead to a clinic, it is faster (CLS at Quebec). But only if you start to see bleed in your mocous  (means bacterias are taking in). You can also call the health number of your province (in Quebec is "info sante").

When I got it, I felt all numb and as if my head will explode because my strong "healthy" but not worthy reaction. My sinuses were all congestioned.

Fortunately I've learn a lot and last year was amazing good! Just 1 cold and very mild.

So please check with a nurse or doctor these advices but I think it will be fine since I've learnt it here in Canada:

1st prevent the Cold:
- Get your flu vaccine. Cold is a different virus but it will boost your immuno response.
- Drink regularly green tea. It boosts your immune system. Specially from November to March. Don't put milk nor sugar it takes away the good antioxidants.
- Have sun light 15 to 30 min each day to get your dose of vitamin D (hands and face is ok, but don't use sun blocker...). After November start to get a supplement of vitamin D, 1000 UI. Vitamin D has been discovered to actually prevent having cold by the half. It makes your with cell to be more responsive. (google it). On winter we don't get enough sun light and is very week.
- Have a multivitamins taken every other day. Specially in winter.
- Get your sleep and relax. I've got always the cold when I was doing a lot and sleeping 5 hs. Party a lot doesn't help neither. Stress and sleep deprivation shot down your immune system. Meditation in the forest or just imagine being there helps to improve your immuno system.
- Get your sinus rinse. It's a bottle you use at night to clear your sinus. It's a way to clean your nasal passages. It's amazing the results you'll get. It also prevents allergies. On sale in any pharmacy. Why it works? Because you're physically cleaning with water and salts all the bacterias and viruses that tries to harbor there.
- Wash your hands! After using public transportation. And before eating. Better soap and good rubbing of hands than gel or alcohol.

Fight the cold!
- When you got it then the best way to fight it is resting at home at the first clearly manifestations of the disease. Sleep, drink white and green tea, have a lot of fluids (water, tea, juices). 1 or 2 days of rest at this early stage will make a huge difference.

- Don't worry nor stress because you skip a day at work. Co-workers will appreciate it. And since you've got it then resting will be the fastest way to fully recover.

- People told me that real chicken soup helps (but I'm vegetarian) and carrots and carrot juice helps a lot I've discovered since it gives you the nutrients that your body needs to create an stronger mucosa and skin.
- Avoid coffee and coke. It makes it worst. Caffeine seems to accelerate the production of mucus.
- Take advil or similar for cold or sinus relief. They sell it here on day and night pills format to avoid drowsiness during day time. Take as recommended (usually two pills, see instructions). Take 1 extra at night if you cant sleep. Remember you need to sleep. Long time.
- Caught and sneeze inside your arm where it bends (the other side of your elbow) and not in your hands. It avoids to spread it.

I know it looks a lot but it makes such a big different between enjoy winter or hating it.

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Source: http://travelimmigrationmontreal.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-to-do-if-you-get-cold-influenza-or.html