YOU can catch Mycoplasma pneumoniae (which causes lung infections) if you’re exposed to the sneezes, coughs or oral fluids from someone who is sick. Here are some strategies that may help improve your body’s natural resilience to infection.

1. Get more sleep. While you’re asleep, your body produces something called cytokines. These proteins protect you from mycoplasma infections. Plus, getting more sleep raises your levels of infection-fighting antibodies and white blood cells, which also help ward off bacteria invasions.

2. Eat a healthy diet. Several specific foods can help boost your immunity, helping to prevent these infections and also improving the results of any other treatments you may be undergoing: citrus fruits, which are high in vitamin C to boost the production of white blood cells; broccoli, which is high in antioxidants; garlic, which contains immune-boosting sulfur compounds like allicin; yogurt, which contains probiotics that can help rebalance the bacteria populations in your body.

3. Breathe in moist, warm air. This helps to soothe your airways, calm a sore throat, and improve lung function.

4. Stay hydrated. Your lungs are 83% water. Drinking lots of fluids helps your lungs to function at their top capacity. (SD-Agencies)