With the peak of cold and flu season upon us, Xu Wei explores the best methods to battle winter's sniffly, sneezy scourge. Surprise: It doesn't involve antibiotics.

Chilly winds, poor indoor ventilation and less exercise all contribute to the weakening of the body's immune system to make winter a peak season for cold and flu.

Most patients treat cold and flu symptoms like fever, cough, headache and extreme tiredness with antibiotics, almost as if they were popping aspirin.

At Shanghai's Children's Hospital, which is attached to the Fudan University, two-thirds of the 1,000 or so patients who show up daily with respiratory complaints are treated with antibiotics. Yet while more and more people are using antibiotics, the effectiveness of the medication is declining. ``Penicillin G is the usual treatment for my 15-year-old daughter who catches cold and flu easily,'' says Zhu Xuebing, a local engineer.

``At first, they worked. But now she is much less responsive to antibiotics, and takes more time to recover. I'm wondering whether I should ask the doctor to use stronger medicine.'' Zhu is not alone -- her concerns are heard among other patients as well. In the eyes of many medical professionals, there is an epidemic of antibiotic overuse. Gui Yonghao, a director of the Children's Hospital, says that the problems associated with the wide usage of antibiotics is soaring, especially for children who are still growing.

``The popular belief that antibiotics cure everything is patently false,'' says Gui. ``Antibiotic overuse is fueling an increase in drug-resistant bacteria. Even worse, entire community will soon be able to feel the impact when disease-causing germs become resistant to antibiotics.''

Gui, along with other clinical specialists, also warns that the condition of antibiotic resistance among Shanghai residents is much greater than in neighboring areas. Medical professionals worry that they may face another dilemma in the near future -- what kind of medicine to prescribe to cure local youngsters who have been infused with antibiotics since birth and have a monster resistance.

``The fact is, the invention of new antibiotics can't keep up with the updating of antibiotic-resistant germs,'' explains Gui. With relatively weak immune systems and immature organs, children are more susceptible to the threat of ineffective medication due to a resistance to antibiotics.

Ironically, patients often beg doctors to prescribe antibiotics, which they feel is a miracle cure. ``To seek a quick recovery, many patients try to persuade me to prescribe antibiotics at the outset, regardless of the side effects,'' says Chen Peili, a respiratory specialist at the Children's Hospital attached to the Shanghai Jiaotong University. The pressures of fast-paced modern life, whether in the workplace or at school, is also blamed for the increased use of antibiotics. Zhang Yue, a foreign company consultant, carries antibiotics around with her. ``The air-conditioning and lack of ventilation in the office result in an enormous variation in the outdoor and indoor temperatures,'' says Zhang.

``So I often suffer from cold and flu. But I don't have time to go to the hospital every time I get sick, as my job is quite busy. The antibiotics can help when I have no time to go to the doctor.'' Parents, as well, look to antibiotics as a quick fix to keep illness from interrupting their children's schooling and their own work. And in those cases, the stronger the medicine, the better. ``Many times, the use of antibiotics is unnecessary,'' adds Chen. ``Some parents are impatient with gentler medicine like the traditional Chinese medication although they are effective. Regardless, any medicine needs time to take effect.''

Recent research also shows that the improper use of antibiotics can cause unwanted side effects and make people more likely to be infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

It's not a difficult principle to understand: the body contains both harmful and helpful bacteria. Unfortunately, antibiotics can't distinguish between the two.

They kill them all, which can further reduce the body's immunity and lead to other diseases, or side effects such as deafness and allergic reactions. In some cases, excessive antibiotic use can retard the skeletal growth of children. This explains why antibiotics should be cautiously used, and will be included in the list of prescription medications since July by the Shanghai Food and Drug Administrative Bureau.

``I'd rather advise patients to attach more importance to flu prevention rather than simply relying on antibiotics,'' says Chen.

``While many people are running to the doctor for flu shots, the best defense against illness is one's own immune system.'' Every minute of the day our bodies are under attack by bacteria and viruses, and it is the body's immune system that keeps fighting them. Without a healthy immune system -- a complex network of chemical and cells -- the body would not be able to survive the simplest infection, let alone the flu. Even in traditional Chinese medicine, prevention and health maintenance and emphasized.

``Keeping the immune system fit comes down to healthy living habits, daily meals covering various elements, balanced nutrition and adequate exercise,'' adds Chen.

``Admittedly, it can't be achieved over one night. It's a long-term project for which the medical community needs to raise awareness.'' Getting strong 1. Have a natural, balanced diet. A balanced diet of natural foods will provide all the vitamins and minerals you need to fight disease. Your diet should include a wide range of food types and even coarse food grains. Choose natural foods over refined foods, like products made with whole grain flours instead of white flour. 2. Include high-quality protein in your diet.

Immune cells, like all the body's cells, are made of protein and must be replenished. Beef contains more protein but less fat compared to pork. It is also recommended to dispel cold in the winter. 3.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Plant foods, fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and protect immune response. Vitamin C is considered an important element to boost immunity. 4. Drink more water everyday. People nowadays take more beverages rather than water, which can pose more pressure to the kidney. A glass of hot water before breakfast is said to be beneficial. 5.

In addition to a well-balanced diet, getting sufficient rest and exercise are all good ways to enhance the body's ability to fight off germs. 6. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, where germs frequently enter the body. 7. Do not share personal items such as drinking glasses, food utensils, cosmetics, combs and brushes, or medical equipment. It's impossible to avoid germs, but good health practices and cleaning practices will help significantly. 8. Keep your belly, feet and neck warm as these part are very sensitive to cold. 9. Avoid going to crowded places too frequently. 10.

If you catch the flu this season, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water are the keys to a speedy recovery. You should also carefully follow the doctors' instructions regarding medication.

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