CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Among the jingle bells of the holiday season, you’ll also hear coughing, sneezing and sniffling. Cold and flu season is ramping up in the Carolinas and it’s only going to get worse as we all crowd together for holiday parties.
Doctors say if you haven’t received your flu shot yet, you should.
Even though it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, it is protection.
The flu shot can also help reduce your symptoms should you get sick. If you do get sick, rest and relaxation are likely your best means for healing.
Taking a stroll through the cold and flu isle at the drug store, you’ll find no shortage of medicine. You’ll also find items like Neti Pots and humidifiers. WCNC asked Dr. Catherine Passaretti with Atrium Health if these product actually help.
“There’s no data to support any sort of help with flu or respiratory viruses of any king,” Dr. Passaretti said.
The CDC recommends you only use distilled, sterile or cooled boiled water for sinus irrigation to protect yourself from infection.
You may remember that earlier this month a Seattle woman died after using filtered tap water in a Neti Pot.
Dr. Passaretti says if you do opt to use these items, be sure to also clean them after each use.