Loyola health care professionals offer tips to help you ward off
the flu, cold and other infectious illnesses MAYWOOD, Ill. - As
you age, your immune system's ability to fight off bacteria,
viruses, fungus and other infectious germs begins to decline. So
having a healthy immune system is a plus year-round but never
more so than now as we enter the height of cold and flu season
when you can expect to begin seeing watery eyes, runny noses and
fevered brows in epidemic proportions. Fortunately, there are
several simple things you can do to revitalize your immune
system. When it comes to influenza, getting a flu shot is the
single best thing you can do to protect yourself against an
illness that each year kills 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes
200,000. "A flu shot can significantly prepare your immune
system against the flu virus by stimulating your immune system
to generate antibodies against the virus," said Dr. Michael
Koller, associate professor, Loyola University Chicago Stritch
School of Medicine. "The tim