It's almost flu season again, and with the kids back at school, germs seem to be flying. Although you might think colds are spread in the air from people sneezing and coughing, research has shown that most colds are passed through touch. Here's a typical scenario: someone with a cold opens a door with germy hands, then you use the doorknob, then you touch your face, and voila! Two days later, you have that scratchy throat that tells you a cold is on the way. The number-one best way to prevent catching a cold is to wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer. A lot. Trying not to touch your face may help as well, since the germs must get into your eyes, nose, or mouth to infect your body.

If you aren't pregnant, zinc treatment in the form of lozenges or nasal sprays may prevent or limit cold symptoms, but I don't know any safety data about these doses of zinc during pregnancy, so I haven't been recommending Cold-Eeze, Zicam, or similar medications to my OB patients. Check with your doctor or midwife first if you want to try this type of prevention.

We have another excellent preventive when it comes to the flu. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends flu vaccines for all pregnant women during flu season, because the flu makes you sicker if you are pregnant. Your immune system is just not as strong during pregnancy as it is at other times. How does the flu vaccine work? Early in flu season each year, scientists try to predict which types of flu virus will be going around. They then make a vaccine that provides some immunity against those particular strains of the flu. The flu vaccine isn't one hundred percent protective, but if you do get the flu after being vaccinated, it may be milder and less dangerous for you and the baby. Some OB practices provide flu vaccines, but not all. If your OB doesn't have flu shots available for you, try your primary care doctor, employer, or local health department.