Health & Wellness Cold-Season Tips From Vicks®   Vicks® Nature Fusion™   Introducing Nature Fusion — the powerful cold medicine Vicks is known for, now with real honey for flavor. Vicks has provided a century of soothing, comforting care to families just like yours. Discover tips to help you stay well. Fight Germs Help keep germs at bay. During cold and flu season, help lower your odds of getting sick by remembering to wash your hands, bringing a backup bottle of hand sanitizer and cleaning your desk. Cold and Flu Prevention Get a yearly seasonal flu vaccination. Experts agree that a yearly flu vaccination is highly effective in preventing virulent strains of the flu in 70% to 90% of healthy adults.1 Staying Healthy Sleep it off. Not getting enough sleep decreases your immune system's ability to fight off a cold.2 So try to get a consistent six to eight hours of sleep every night. Healthy Expectations Get well gradually. Generally speaking, a normal cold or flu lasts around five to seven days.3 If you don't start to feel better after a week, experts recommend you seek medical attention. Otherwise, over-the-counter medications should work just fine. Clean and Healthy Clean your humidifier. To help soothe dry noses, flaky skin, and chapped lips, and to provide temporary relief from cough and congestion, you can choose from an array of Vicks® humidifiers. During the winter months, you should clean your humidifier every three days and change the water every day.4 Visit Vicks.com for more great tips to help you stay well. 1 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 4 The National Institutes of Health* * The National Institutes of Health does not endorse or promote any particular product or service. Are you looking for more expert tips and advice for everyday life? Visit our Article Library.   Print This Page