Healthy living
Mind matters
Feeling smiles better
Happy people are less likely to succumb to colds and flu, according to a new study published in the journal, Psychosomatic Medicine
Researchers in the US tested nearly 200 healthy volunteers over several weeks. They found that healthy people who had a positive outlook on life were less likely to fall ill when exposed to a cold or flu virus.
"This is the first study that measures emotions in initially healthy people and finds that those who are generally happier are more resistant to infectious disease," said lead study author Professor Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Even taking into account the fact that happier people tend to look at their illness in a more positive light, the results showed that happiness itself seemed to protect against cold symptoms.
"People with a positive emotional style may have different immune responses to the virus," explained Cohen. "And when they do get a cold, they may interpret their illness as being less severe."
The study found no evidence that being miserable makes you more susceptible to disease, however. But people described as generally depressed, tense or hostile were more likely to exaggerate the extent of their symptoms.
The number of people in the UK who consult their GP with flu-like illness during the winter varies considerably from year to year (usually between 50 and 200 for every 100,000 population). However most healthy people with flu do not need to see a doctor.
What are the symptoms of flu and flu-like illness?
• Fever
• Sweats
• Muscle aches
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Headache
Take preventive measures
• Get a flu jab.
• Antiviral medication. During outbreaks of flu, a drug called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may be advised for some people to help to protect against flu. Oseltamivir works by interfering with the way the virus multiplies. If you take oseltamivir, it may not stop flu completely, but may reduce the severity and duration of the illness. The usual course is for seven to 10 days. Oseltamivir is not advised if you are usually healthy and are under the age of 65.
• Take echinacea - this is a natural supplement that is believed to boost your immune system.
• Try to keep away from people who have virus infections
• Wash your hands regularly.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.