Dr. Jim Sears tells you how to protect your family during the cold and flu season

Posted in health
by Lorain County Moms

By Jenny Schafer, Celebritybabyscoop.com

Dr. Jim Sears is an Emmy-nominated co-host of the award-winning talk show “The Doctors.” Dr. Sears has co-authored several books, including “The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood,” ‘’Father’s First Steps — 25 Things Every New Father Should Know,“ ‘’The Premature Baby Book,” ‘’The Baby Sleep Book“ and best seller, ”The Baby Book.”

The father-of-two opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about some of the most common myths of how you can catch a cold or flu, healthy food choices to help boost your immunity, and how to safeguard you and your family during the cold and flu season.

Celebrity Baby Scoop: What are some of the most common myths about how you catch a cold or flu and the best ways to treat?

Dr. Sears: Probably the biggest one is if you go outside when it’s cold, especially if you are wet. A lot of people (say), ‘If you go outside before you dry your hair’ you can get sick. In reality it does not increase your chances of catching a cold or catching the flu. Actually, they did a study a few years back, it was kind of cruel, but they took a group of people and exposed them to a cold virus and they took half of them and took them outside on a cold winter day and hosed them down and got them all wet. And then tried to see if there’s a difference on how many people got those colds, and there wasn’t. So the clothes you’re wearing and the temperature outside really have nothing to do with it.

What’s more important is if that virus gets into your body. It can get onto your hands and you still are OK unless it gets into your body and that usually happens by going through your eyes or your nose. So if the virus gets on your hands, because maybe you shook somebody’s hand who has a cold and suddenly you rub your eyes or you’re rubbing your nose now you’ve got the virus inside of you.

So one of the good rules of wintertime is keep your hands away from your face. That’s probably one of biggest ways to prevent colds and flus. Also washing your hands. If you know you’ve touched stuff that could have a virus on it, wash your hands with warm water and soap, scrubbing for 20 seconds; that’s a great way to keep yourself from catching them.

One of the big things is people that are sick, they are the ones who should take the precautions. Don’t go to school, don’t go to work if you are sick because all you’re going to do is give it to everybody else.

Another myth we talked about on our show: There’s a saying feed a cold, starve a fever. It comes from a long time ago. And that really isn’t true. You never really want to starve yourself if you’ve got fever or a cold. You want to stay hydrated. Eat good wholesome foods. So usually when your body is sick, your body will crave something that’s good for it. I know when I have the flu or something, I always crave lentil soup for some reason. Good old fashion chicken soup or something that’s good for you is the best thing to do when you’re sick, whether it’s a cold or fever. There’s no more feeding a cold and starving a fever.

CBS: What are some healthy food choices to keep children feeling well during flu season?

DS: Things that boost your immune system. Fruits and vegetables, avacado and fish. They are good sources of omega 3 oils, which are really good for you. Essential fatty acids help boost your immune system.

(And) avoiding sugar. A lot of people don’t realize this, but if you overdo it on sugar, it actually suppresses your immune system. The white blood cells that help fight infection — they get sluggish after a dose of sugar. And that effect lasts about six hours. So if my kids ever ask for something sugary I joke around with them a little bit, I say, “Hey, is this a good time to be suppressing your immune system?” Of course, the answer is always “no.” And that’s the answer to your question, in terms of if they get the junk food. Oranges and things like that are good.

Also (take) selenium, a mineral that helps boost your immune system. It’s in fish, and whole grain, which is a good reason to make sure your bread is whole wheat bread. Eating chicken is a good source of selenium. The main thing is eating well and avoiding junk is really the best way to boost your immune system.

CBS: As most can attest, when one family member gets sick it usually spreads fast! Do you have any advice on how to stop spreading germs?

DS: Yes, for sure. That’s something my family just went through last week. Couple of family members got a cold. I was really careful to wash my hands, keep my hands away from my face. I doubled up on all my fruits and veggies. I was lucky enough to not get it. I was so happy, because I really did not want to get sick!

When somebody’s sick in the house just really pay attention to what they’re touching and what they’re coughing on. Make sure they have tissues to cough into. Have them wash their hands. Make sure they are not helping prepare food and cleaning the dishes, and all that kind of stuff. That person should just try not to have too much physical contact with everybody else.”

CBS: As a father of two children, what has been the most rewarding part of parenting for you?

DS: For me, it’s as my kids have grown up. My daughter’s 17 and my son’s 13. When they were younger, I tried to do my best at making sure they developed good eating habits. They really didn’t get a lot of soda or juice. When they were thirsty they would drink water. And now that the kids are old enough they are making their own choices. I love it when I see them still choosing water to drink.

My daughter is off to college now, but I’m on the phone with her quite a bit. The other day, I don’t remember where she was, but I asked her what she was eating and drinking — and it was all healthy. And I was like, “Ah, that’s great. That’s great to hear that.” Because I know that’s the No. 1 way thing they can do to live a healthy life is to fuel their bodies with healthy foods. I’m happy to see them continuing those habits now that they do have a choice.

CBS: How do you manage when your kids are sick?

DS: I will never forget the very first time any of my kids got sick it was when my daughter was three. I was literally walking out the door to go to work at the hospital and I heard her scream. She had a bladder infection — so it hurt her. I was like, “Oh my God,” you know. It was funny. I was already a doctor, a pediatrician, by then so I was dealing with sick kids everyday but suddenly when it’s your own child, it’s a whole different mindset. Since then, my children have had their fair share of illnesses. I just try to make them comfortable.

I do have an advantage in terms of being a pediatrician. I definitely don’t panic and run off to the doctor’s office if I don’t need to. There have been a few times I’ve had to take them in to get tests. But, most of the time, we just keep them comfortable and eating well. I kind of just do what every parent should do, and just make sure their child is given excellent care.

Tune into “The Doctors” on Fridays to learn more about how to protect you and your family during the cold and flu season.

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