It’s almost the peak of cold and flu season and that means that viruses are inevitable – door knobs, tabletops and bathrooms are just a few of the many places that put us at risk. Common colds are the number one reason that children miss school and adults miss work. The average person gets between 2-3 upper respiratory infections (URIs) per year, making this the most common infection in humans. Over 80% of these infections are viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics, which can only treat bacterial illnesses. Yet year after year, patients ask for them as a quick and easy fix when none are necessary. Taking them may in fact harm you.
While germs are undeniably always around us, hand hygiene is key to helping reduce the risk of colds and viruses. It’s simple, but often overlooked—the most important thing one can do in the face of colds and flus is to avoid getting them in the first place. Keep hands clean, particularly during this time of year. Don’t touch your face, especially your lips, mouth, and ears, unless they’re clean. We often unconsciously touch our faces and by doing so, viruses can enter our bodies and make us sick.
Washing your hands before eating and proactively cleaning surfaces that you often touch like cell phones, computer keyboards and door handles is imperative. We should all be vigilant about keeping our hands and surroundings clean so that we can collectively help reduce the spread of germs.
If you happen to come down with a cold, over-the-counter products may support your immune system to clear the infection. There is a wide range of supplements available in most drug and vitamin stores.
A new product my group has developed is called the EZC Pak. The EZC Pak is a 5-day tapered immune support pack composed of Echinacea, Zinc, and Vitamin C, designed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Research shows that these three components support the immune system. The EZC Pak is composed of the green E capsule, made of certified organic Echinacea and the tan ZC capsule, made of zinc and vitamin C. EZC is taken more frequently in the beginning and then tapered off as your immune system mounts a response.
It’s a new year and the perfect time to embrace healthier hygiene habits. Start by keeping your hands clean and the rest of your body will thank you. For more information on the EZC Pak, please visit us at ezcpak.com.
Article Bio:
Sarath Malepati, MD is the Founder and Medical Director of the PPC Group, a California-based health product design team focused on improving knowledge transfer between clinicians and patients through the design of simple solutions for common health care problems. Dr. Malepati’s current project is the EZC Pak, the first physician formulated 5-day immune support pack designed to relieve patient pressure for antibiotics when deemed medically unnecessary and reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing patterns. More information on Dr. Malepati’s work can be found at: ezcpak.com
