By Dr. Mercola

Cold and flu season are right around the corner, and with it we can expect lots of advertisements for flu vaccines.

I've written extensively on the dangers of flu vaccines before, and the fact that they simply do not work—according to the scientific evidence.

So here's a timely review of what you can do to protect yourself and your family from colds and any type of flu this season, and in years to come.

Both colds and various influenzas are caused by a wide variety of viruses (not bacteria).

While the two ailments typically affect your respiratory tract, there are some differences between them.

Common symptoms of a 'regular cold' include runny nose, congestion, cough, and sore throat. The symptoms of the flu tend to be far more severe, as the influenza viruses are capable of causing severe lung infection, pneumonia and even respiratory failure. They also tend to affect your joints—hence that allover achy feeling.