Experts reveal simple ways to help avoid the summer cold
Staying hydrated is crucial in warmer weather to replenish fluids lost through increased sweating.
Frequent handwashing, especially when travelling, helps prevent the spread of viruses and infections.
Ensuring adequate sleep is vital for immune system health, as it aids in the production of protective proteins.
Avoid touching your face and be mindful of air conditioning use, as excessive AC can create a dry environment conducive to viruses.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Worlingham family's holiday 'challenge' with son with allergies
A family with a son who has a weak immune system and a catalogue of allergies has described how going on holiday involves "military-level planning" to reduce the risks."We are trying to work out how to do life safely, but not miss out on things as a family," said mum Heidi, from Worlingham in son Bobby, 5, is autistic and has an extremely rare condition – BCL11B-Related Disorder, caused by mutations in the BCL11B gene - that has left him with almost 40 allergies and a susceptibility to common 44, said they had decided to "take the plunge" and go on holiday to Jersey, but would struggle to travel further afield. "At the moment, we've completely ruled out flying by plane."If we go to a different country, it's what foods we're able to buy, can we understand the ingredients? They're already complex, even in English," she said.A ferry journey to Jersey will be the family's first trip off the UK daughters Connie, 12, and Bettie, 10, said their friends were able to do things they could said: "They can go abroad on holiday a lot more. "It's easier for them because they can take planes, however we can't because of Bobby's allergies and additional needs." Heidi said another challenge was not knowing how foreign hospital services work, or whether medical staff would understand the complexity of Bobby's Stef, 44, said there were only 58 recorded cases of BCL11B-Related Disorder in the world and "doctors don't really know much about it yet – they're learning with us"."He has very, very low immunity. "We've been told to think about it like someone on cancer medication," said Stef."If he gets close to someone with chickenpox or measles, it could mean days in hospital. "We're on the look out all the time for anyone who's even got the sniffles.""There's always planning involved to make sure places are clean and safe for Bobby," he added."That usually means it's outside stuff, which is OK in the summer. "In the winter you're really restricted, and the poor girls miss out." Bobby's allergy's include eggs, nuts, bananas, potatoes, cow's milk, tree and grass pollen, feathers, dogs, cats and John Chapman is a consultant paediatrician specialising in allergies at the James Paget Hospital in Norfolk – one of several places Bobby goes for treatment."I've never known a patient like this before," he said. "We think it's an incredibly rare condition, and he is a subset of that rare condition. He's in a minority and very specialised."Dr Chapman said they were able to treat Bobby's immune deficiency fairly easily through regular antibiotics, to protect him from infections."The other part is down to his parents working out what he's allergic to and what they can feed him."They tend to get a good balance of what he can eat, but then he'll catch a cold or something and it will throw it all off. It's a constant battle," he said. Heidi said: "It's a been a massive grieving process because this is a life condition and it's very unpredictable."She appealed to the public to be aware of other people's conditions and allergies."Families like us really rely on the kindness of other people's decisions and choices to stay safe."We know allergies can make people feel their decisions are taken away because they aren't able to eat things in certain places, but that is a small sacrifice we hope they would make, so we can stay safe in that area," she Allergy UK spokesperson said: "Embarking on a journey should be a thrilling experience but, for people with allergies, it can also bring extra challenges."Our website and Helpline offer detailed guidance on what to consider when traveling abroad with allergies."Our Allergy Translation Cards also empower travellers to communicate their dietary needs clearly and confidently." Despite the challenges, Bobby's family are full of affection for him."He's so funny. He went from being non-verbal to verbal – he can tell jokes now," said Heidi."He's just a bundle of energy, non-stop, and very affectionate." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
I tested three spot-clearing serums to help keep breakouts at bay – with one for every budget
SUMMER is alway a sticking point for those of us with acne. The sweaty, humid weather and heat-proof, long-wear make-up is a recipe for blocked pores. So I've been testing spot-clearing serums to help keep breakouts at bay. BUDGET The Inkey List 360 skin clearing serum, £16 for 30ml, I am a huge Inkey fan. Founders Mark Curry and Colette Laxton are down-to-earth and never shy away from questions about the brand or the products they're creating, which is always a good sign. This serum does exactly what it says on the tin, helping to control oil production, unclog pores and reduce post-breakout inflammation and scarring thanks to salicylic and lactic acid. Despite being lightweight, it also hydrates skin, thanks to the caring squalane, glycerin and panthenol. It's a true all-rounder and unbelievably good value for money. MID-RANGE It has been a long time since I've used Clinique skincare. It was my mum's go-to brand when I was growing up, so there's something nostalgic and full circle about it entering my stash, even though she has a different skin type and uses different products. This is one of the fastest-working blemish solutions I've ever tried. It reduced the redness around my spots in under an hour and helped relieve the bruised feeling of those under-the-skin spots overnight. It is the most drying of the three, so best for those with extremely oily skin, or paired with a hydrating oil-free moisturiser – but the results are worth the extra step. LUXURY Murad biome-balancing clear & prevent blemish treatment serum, £45 for 30ml, Murad was my go-to brand when my skin was at its worst and I keep a couple of products for when my skin plays up. This serum is new and has become one of my favourite products from the brand. It has a gel-like texture that absorbs in seconds and doesn't leave an oily or sticky residue. The combination of salicylic and mandelic acids is a super gentle way to slowly, but efficiently, slough away dead skin cells while also being antibacterial and reducing acne-causing bacteria at the same time. The salicylic acid also breaks down oil. My skin felt softer from day one and I've definitely had fewer new breakouts since using it regularly.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Got the sniffles? Here's what to know about summer colds, COVID-19 and more
Summer heat, outdoor fun ... and cold and flu symptoms? The three may not go together in many people's minds: partly owing to common myths about germs and partly because many viruses really do have lower activity levels in the summer. But it is possible to get the sniffles — or worse — in the summer. Federal data released Friday, for example, shows COVID-19 is trending up in many parts of the country, with emergency department visits up among people of all ages. Here's what to know about summer viruses. How much are colds and flu circulating right now? The number of people seeking medical care for three key illnesses — COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV — is currently low, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu is trending down and RSV was steady this week. But COVID-19 is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, southeast, Southern and West Coast states. The expectation is that COVID-19 will eventually settle into a winter seasonal pattern like other coronaviruses, but the past few years have brought a late summer surge, said Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at University of California Davis Children's Hospital. Other viruses circulating this time of year include the one that causes 'hand, foot and mouth' disease — which has symptoms similar to a cold, plus sores and rashes — and norovirus, sometimes called the stomach flu. Do viruses spread less in the summer? Many viruses circulate seasonally, picking up as the weather cools in the fall and winter. So it's true that fewer people get stuffy noses and coughs in the summer — but cold weather itself does not cause colds. It's not just about seasonality. The other factor is our behavior, experts say. Nice weather means people are opening windows and gathering outside where it's harder for germs to spread. But respiratory viruses are still around. When the weather gets too hot and everyone heads inside for the air conditioning, doctors say they start seeing more sickness. In places where it gets really hot for a long time, summer can be cold season in its own right. 'I grew up on the East Coast and everybody gets sick in the winter,' said Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency room doctor and Arizona State University researcher. 'A lot of people get sick in the summer here. Why is that? Because you spend more time indoors.' Should you get another COVID-19 booster now? For people who are otherwise healthy, timing is a key consideration to getting any vaccine. You want to get it a few weeks before that big trip or wedding, if that's the reason for getting boosted, doctors say. But, for most people, it may be worth waiting until the fall in anticipation of winter cases of COVID-19 really tick up. 'You want to be fully protected at the time that it's most important for you,' said Dr. Costi Sifri, of the University of Virginia Health System. People at higher risk of complications should always talk with their doctor about what is best for them, Sifri added. Older adults and those with weak immune systems may need more boosters than others, he said. Are more younger kids getting sick with COVID-19? Last week, the CDC noted emergency room visits among children younger than 4 were rising. That makes sense, Blumberg said, because many young kids are getting it for the first time or are unvaccinated. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in May that the shots would no longer be recommended for healthy kids, a decision that health experts have said lacks scientific basis. The American Academy of Pediatrics still endorses COVID-19 shots for children older than 6 months. How else can I lower my risk? The same things that help prevent colds, flu and COVID any other time of the year work in the summer, doctors say. Spend time outside when you can, wash your hands, wear a mask. And if you're sick, stay home. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
