It's that time of year again where the temperatures drop and everyone's got the sniffles. Though it may be scoffed at by your parents or teachers, getting the flu or catching a cold can have a horribly negative effect on your body, leaving you feeling like death warmed up. So grab your duvet, get in your PJs, stock up on soup and take a look at our top tips for keeping a cold from crashing your Christmas…

The symptoms

Common cold

Anybody who's suffered from a cold before will be able to tell you the basic symptoms. Headaches, coughing, sneezing, blocked/runny nose, sore throat and pain on swallowing are all the most common afflictions that cold sufferers pick up, though it's possible to receive some without the others. A high temperature is also likely as is lethargy and earache.

Influenza

The symptoms of flu are very similar to that of a common cold, which makes it difficult to tell the difference between the two. However, those with the flu also suffer from fever, aching joints and muscles, chest pains, appetite loss, weakness, indigestion, chills, vomiting or diarrhoea. Again, it's not unlikely to miss out on some of these afflictions but you should definitely be ready for them. The flu has a much more serious effect than a basic cold so any of the above symptoms should be an immediate red flag.

What to do

Get some rest

Once you've caught a cold or flu, it's extremely likely that you'll want nothing more than a few days in bed. The illnesses can leave you feeling completely drained so don't fight the urge to build your strength back up between the sheets. Stick some daytime telly on and you'll be out cold in no time. No matter what you're suffering from, it's important to get as much rest as you can as, while you're sleeping, your body will be running checks and making any repairs it needs.

Sorting your schedule

If you're only suffering from a cold, don't expect any time off school/work unless you can prove just how bedridden you really are. In some cases, schools or employers will give you a few days off to recover as to not affect the rest of your colleagues, though it's unlikely that you'll be able to blag a week in bed. However, the flu is highly contagious and it's recommended that you keep human contact to a minimum, so staying at home for a few days is for the best.

Keep an eye on your intake

Illnesses like colds and flu can drain your body of important fluids so make sure that you drink plenty of water or juice throughout the day. You lose a large amount of bodily fluids when suffering from diarrhoea, so it's crucial that you replace this by drinking enough water. Warm liquids, such as tea and (famously) chicken soup, can also help to battle that sore and dry throat.

You may have also heard the phrase "feed a cold, starve a fever", which might be one of the strangest pieces of advice we've ever heard. It's vital that you eat regularly and healthily whilst ill to keep your body strength up. Starving yourself when you're already ill is just stupid.

Ban the antibiotics

Despite what you may have heard, it's been scientifically proven that antibiotics have no effect whatsoever on flu or colds. Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, which can only replicate within a host cell. Antibiotics work by targeting specific bacterial pathways which are completely different to viruses' pathways of replication. Sciency bit over, take some paracetamol or ibuprofen if you're in physical pain, but make sure that you're not mixing these tablets with any other medicine you might be taking. Nasal sprays available from your local pharmacy are also especially effective against blocked nasal passages.

Don't disturb the doctor

Although you may feel as though you're on your last legs, the chances are that you'll be fine in a couple of days. Consulting your doctor or GP isn't necessary for a cold or even the flu, though it's recommended that you seek a consultation if your symptoms are still severe after a week. However, if you're seriously feeling rubbish, don't stop yourself from having a check-up, especially if you think that your symptoms are getting worse.

How to avoid catching a cold or flu

• Wash your hands regularly and make sure others do the same
• Stay away from people who are already suffering, if possible
• Keep rooms well-aired
• Don't touch your eyes or nose after being in contact with somebody with a cold
• Get plenty of sleep every night
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
• Exercise regularly

Cold and flu myths busted

Being the most common affliction worldwide, cold and flu has the widest range of crackpot ideas, widely believed to immediately relieve you of your illness. Of course, most of them are completely nonsense. Sweating it out, taking loads of Vitamin C and zinc, avoiding milk, avoiding treating symptoms and starving a fever are all entirely ineffective when facing a cold or flu and usually act as a placebo, psychologically fooling you into thinking that the strange ailment is helping.

The shocking statistics

• More than 15 million people suffer from colds and flu every year
• An estimated 22 to 189 million school days are missed every year due to colds
• 150 million work days are also missed, 129 million of which are to look after ill children
• More than one hundred different viruses can result in a cold
• Most colds take around 3-5 days to recover from, though some won't go for at least a week
• Most people will catch a cold 2-4 times every year
• Kissing is not the most common way to spread viruses - shaking hands with somebody who is already ill is.
• Despite popular belief, you are more likely to catch a cold in the spring or summer than winter months
• Antibiotics have no effect on the flu or colds as they are caused by viruses
• Smokers suffer from cold symptoms longer than non-smokers
• The total economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion every year
• Colds and the flu make up for 60% of lost productivity at work - more than what would be lost by taking the day off

For more information, have a look at WebMD's online center for cold and flu