Most medical experts consider the latter half of October the unofficial start of the cold and flu season.

There is no one time a year when you can't catch a cold or flu, but it's more widespread during the Fall, Winter and Spring months, mainly because that's when the kids are in school - and kids tend to be really good germ-spreaders.

In fact, according to Parenting Magazine, the average adult with school-age children gets six colds a year.  Those without children average only two to three colds annually.

So what's the best way to ward off the cold or flu - wash your hands.  Health experts say half of all the illnesses could be eliminated if everybody simply washed their hands before eating and after using the restroom.  Doctors recommend you wash your hands for about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song.

It's also recommended that you cover your mouth when your cough or sneeze, but DO NOT USE YOUR HAND.  It's good to get into the habit (and teach your kids, too) to cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow instead.

Should you come down with a cold, be aware it's usually "contagious" between 24 hours before the onset of symptoms until five day after the onset.  And like everything else, it depends on the cold itself.

So don't try to be a hero and go to work feeling under the weather.  Do yourself - and your coworkers a favor- and stay home until you're feeling better.

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