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Share your tips for preventing cold & flu with Dettol and be in with a chance of winning a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

(197 Posts)
EmmaGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 01-Dec-16 09:40:09

Winter is upon us and that means so are the dreaded colds and flus that go with it. The majority of us suffer every year to some extent and many have a number of tricks they use to try and keep colds and flu at bay. Dettol want to hear your tips for preventing colds and flu.

Here’s what Dettol have to say: “Whilst Dettol started by preventing infection and sickness in hospitals in the UK, our brand’s mission was always much bigger. In order to help keep people healthy, Dettol needed to protect families as part of their every-day lives in the home. Fuelled by our passion to do more and backed by our expertise in killing germs, Dettol products are designed to help you protect your family from harmful germs that can cause illness. Our range of Dettol Surface Cleansers kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and can be used all over the home. Available in a range of formats such as trigger spray as well as surface or floor wipes.”

Do you load up on vitamin C when you feel the first inklings of illness? Are you regimented when it comes to washing your hands and telling your grandchildren to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough? Whatever your cold and flu prevention tips are please share them below.

Everyone who posts below before Thursday 15th December will be entered into a prize draw where one gransnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

cherylann2461 Sat 10-Dec-16 14:53:46

A good multi vitamin and a good fish oil.

happysouls Sat 10-Dec-16 14:54:09

I have anti bacterial gel in all my coat pockets and handbags and I'm sure to use it when I'm out! My boyfriend even wipes the handle of the shopping trolley with it before shopping! We also avoid anyone who is coughing while we're out!

watermeadow Sat 10-Dec-16 21:07:34

What is this alarmist nonsense for, apart from increasing Detol's profits?
Just bath in neat bleach, that will ensure you die germ-free.

MSHGW Sat 10-Dec-16 21:10:41

Wear gloves when out and about. Wash your hands before touching your face or eating. Get the flu jab. Wrap up warm. Get plenty of sleep.

Carolander Sat 10-Dec-16 23:19:02

Eat a Kiwifruit daily. They have more vitamin c than oranges.

GrannyA11i Sun 11-Dec-16 10:58:30

Washing hands frequently when out or with grandchildren and try not to touch own eyes, mouth and nose unless washed hands first - very difficult to do as first thing that happens if you try not to do it is your eyes itch! We do use the detox spray at home quite a lot in the kitchen as well.

Dartzie62 Sun 11-Dec-16 11:43:21

I agree with a lot of what everyone is saying; shopping trolleys, door handles out and about is a sure carrier of germs. I use anti-bac before going out and wash my hands when in. Also, I use Dettol spray clean throughout the house to avoid the nasties that lurk around. Also, I have a handy pack of dettol wipes, they are my favourite cleaning aid in the kitchen and bathroom.
I am also a believer in teaching the kids to sneeze/cough into their arm/elbow joint and not their hands so that they cant spread germs when out and about or at home.

HannahLI Sun 11-Dec-16 14:32:56

The simple things are really important like washing hands and covering mouths. We also make sure that we all get a flu jab as that really helps too. We also try and make sure that we isolate ourselves when we are poorly to minimise the spread of germs. We also open the windows everyday.

strawberrinan Sun 11-Dec-16 14:52:32

I have suffered from colds and catarrh since I was a child. I honestly can't say if it's just placebo but I now eat onion ever day and for the first time in as long as I can remember I haven't had a cold in ages!

Hannahpp Sun 11-Dec-16 17:01:52

I always have the Flu jab, My partner has also had the Pneumonia jab as he's high risk.
We wash our hands regularly when out and about and last but not least I add onions to anything I conceivably can as I believe it helps ward off coughs and colds.

Ikea1234 Sun 11-Dec-16 19:23:23

I work in a Primary school - an obvious breeding ground for germs and bugs - but I have stayed immune by taking a daily dose of vitamin c and washing my hands regularly (little ones constantly want to hold your hand!!) If you can't get to a sink, then hand sanitiser is a godsend! We have had several bouts of projectile vomiting in the corridors and hallways, a couple of falling-down-sick, and a few huge sneezers, but with one week to go to the end of term, I am still fit and healthy!

chrissy53438 Sun 11-Dec-16 20:20:13

a daily dose of echinacea

Pumpkin2 Sun 11-Dec-16 21:12:58

Have a flu jab and eat a balanced diet

hellywellyt Sun 11-Dec-16 21:35:48

Eat plenty of garlic

SuzC Sun 11-Dec-16 22:42:09

You can't keep yourself from getting all coughs/colds - if you come into contact with a strain you haven't had before you are going to get it in some shape or form!
I just try & boost my immunity with a good multivitamin/mineral and eat lots of healthy fruit & veg.
Get your flu jab done as early as possible.
Avoid people who you know have an active cough/cold if you possibly can.
Make sure you limit your contact with people if you are poorly yourself.
And yes, if you are ill - give the surfaces around you a good clean with anti-bac and use hand gel. Just common courtesy to stop spreading germs as much as you can! Won't completely stop it but if all of us were a little more thoughtful & careful, it would help!

Cailin7 Sun 11-Dec-16 22:56:30

get the flu jab, wash your hands and carry anti bacterial hand wash. However my grandmother always said whats for you will no go by you and therefore I try not to worry about it too much

thekiwibex Mon 12-Dec-16 00:34:12

Wash your hands as soon as you can after going on public transport!

Elrel Mon 12-Dec-16 01:08:30

I sometimes put a capful of Dettol in the bath water, started when I was trying hard to avoid infections of any kind prior to surgery. My mother did it when I was small and 'played out' a lot. In those days baths were weekly!

tiredoldwoman Mon 12-Dec-16 06:15:55

Just out of the shower , all clean and glowing ! I noticed that it was Dettol soap !

gillywilly Mon 12-Dec-16 11:27:55

Lots of hand washing and surface wiping.

angiehoggett Mon 12-Dec-16 13:22:54

hand washing and maintaining good hygiene in general. Also try to make sure you are getting your vitamins every day, green tea every morning is a great wellbeing drink that works for me.

BizziLiz Mon 12-Dec-16 17:23:35

Lots of handwashing, and if you're using touch screens to shop, or buy tickets, then use the knuckles of your hand rather than your fingertips.

beeelaine Mon 12-Dec-16 17:43:16

Vitamin D - people forget all about it and it really does help your immune system as well as good for your bones, i would recommend you take it daily during the winter months!

Apart from that if you are eating fruit and vegetables and a balanced diet you should be getting all you need but its a good idea to stock up on some of those tonics the chemist sell - which are great for a pick me up if you get flu.

Also my other tip is to cook an extra dinner each time you make a sunday dinner - freeze it and then you have a lovely dinner full of goodness to eat when you are back to eating again without cooking.

Stay warm and its not unpolite to tell people to stay away who have been really poorly!

rocketriffs Mon 12-Dec-16 22:19:09

Get the flu jab and eat healthy food. I don't believe in making tour environment sterile and completely free of bacteria. Weakens your resistance.

Sellins Tue 13-Dec-16 11:27:33

Use a hand sanitiser.