A respiratory tract infection - or RTI - is a contagious infection of your respiratory tract, including your nose, throat, pharynx, larynx, and bronchi. RTIs covers everything from the common cold to full-blown coronavirus: you may be most familiar with the term ‘chest infection’ to describe an RTI.

During the winter months we are all susceptible to contacting an RTI, with up to 15% of us developing a severe form of infection of the respiratory tract. In addition to the common cold, examples of RTIs include epiglottitis, tracheobronchitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis.

If you're wondering which supplements to take to keep yourself protected against respiratory tract infections this winter, or are looking for ways to boost your immune system and decrease your chances of contracting a chest infection over the next few few months, then read on to find out exactly what causes RTIs and how they spread from one person to another, and for our top tips for keeping RTIs at bay.

RTIs can spread from one person to another via droplets in the air, direct physical contact, touching hands, hugging and kissing, or spending prolonged periods in one another's company whilst maintaining close physical proximity.

The risk of transfer of an RTI virus is increased when:

• You cough or sneeze without covering your nose or mouth, thereby allowing droplets containing the viruses to spread through the air.
• You spend an extended period of time in an enclosed space with somebody who already has an RTI.
• If you spend a lot of time in a hospital, care home, school, office, day care centre or other institution - all of these groups have shown increased risk of contracting RTIs.
• You fail to wash your hands regularly and particularly after touching something infected - inanimate objects such as door handles and railings can harbour the virus for hours after being touched by somebody who already has an RTI.
• It’s cold outside: viruses have a much greater chance of survival and are much more likely to pass from one person to the next during the colder months of autumn and winter.
• You spend a lot of time indoors. This is particularly true of spending time indoors in low-humidity conditions such as those that are created by switching on the central heating. Low humidity is known to be a factor in allowing RTI-causing viruses to survive and thrive.
• The person coming into contact with an RTI already has a weak or compromised immune system.

RTI symptoms vary from person to person but are always a result of irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Some of the most common symptoms associated with an infection of the respiratory tract include:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Mucus production
• Having a runny nose
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing

• Avoid close contact with anybody with an RTI
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and hot water
• If you need to cough, cover your mouth
• If you need to sneeze, cover your nose
• Avoid touching your face - particularly your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wipe down objects such as phones or keyboards before and after you’ve used them
• Avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of the RTI if you’re the one who’s unwell

LYMA contains three of the most important immune-boosting ingredients known to exist: Vita-Algae D3™, MenaQ7® Matrix and a Wellmune® Blend which, when taken together, can help to keep you and your loved ones safe and well this winter.

Calcium is a fundamental nutrient for a healthy and fully-functioning immune system. Vitamins D3 and K2 work together to mobilise calcium metabolism, delivering calcium to the immune cells to keep colds and infections at bay. LYMA provides the perfect ratio of highly bioavailable forms of both vitamin D3 and K2 in clinically proven doses.

Vita-Algae D3™ is formulated in LYMA at a clinical dose of 2,000 i.u. (generic supplements tend to contain somewhere in the region of 600 i.u.). The formula also contains 75µg of MenaQ7® Matrix - the world’s most advanced form of vitamin K2.

Both vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 are extremely difficult to obtain through dietary sources alone and so supplementing is heavily advised if you want to keep your immune system functioning smoothly and efficiently this winter.

Our Wellmune® Blend, which is supported by over a dozen published, peer-reviewed clinical studies and - like all ingredients in the LYMA formula - has been extensively trialled and is fully patented, is a purified and highly specialised 1,3 1,6 beta glucan that has been clinically proven to boost the functioning of the immune system. The Wellmune® Blend works by priming white blood cells' neutrophils and macrophages and engaging with foreign pathogens to destroy RTI-causing viruses before they can take hold.

In the case of a new virus, such as COVID-19, our bodies haven’t had a chance to develop immunity yet because we haven’t previously encountered it. This leaves us more susceptible. Scientists around the world are working on developing a vaccine, but at the time of writing we don’t yet have any immunisation against it. The best we can do is to keep our immune systems firing on all cylinders and stick to the protocols outlined above in order to minimise our chances of getting sick. Washing your hands regularly, staying alert and supplementing with a world-leading immune-boosting supplement like LYMA are the best tools we have at our disposal right now.

LYMA is the ultimate blend of science and nature, certified to strengthen your natural defences. The proven benefits of LYMA can help to improve your body's immunity and ability to fight infections at a time when we need it most.