As Valentine’s Day draws nearer, many plan for the perfect candlelight dinner and romantic date. Although Valentine’s Day is in the peak of the sniffle season, there are actually several “intimate” ways to ward off a cold during your passionate and unforgettable night!

New York City physician Dr. Jennifer Collins knows the ins and outs of the cold and flu. From kissing to dancing the night away, she says there are more ways to ward off symptoms than the usual “rest and fluids.”

Here are her tips to ward off the cold and flu season:

• Double up on kissing. Did you know that exchanging bacteria with loved ones can help strengthen your immune system? Pucker up!
• Hit the gym. Regular exercise allows you to improve your overall fitness, which can help to boost your overall health and look good in that little black dress.
• Try remedies from the Earth. Natural cold remedies formulated with zinc and Echinacea help to stop colds in their tracks. They come in multiple forms that can discreetly fit in your purse.
• Listen to music. Music increases immunoglobulin A (IgA) production, an immune-boosting protein, so spend the night holding your beau close to you and sharing a dance.
• Make a breakfast date at Starbucks. Hot liquids help wash the virus out of your mouth and down into your stomach where it can’t grow due to the acids
• Don’t blow your nose. As congesting as it sounds, don’t blow your nose; use a decongestant. Blowing hard can actually push the mucus up into your sinuses, making you sicker.
• Take a spa day. Studies show that sitting in a sauna can detox a cold right out of your system! Spa day for two on Feb. 14, please!

Dr. Jennifer Collins is a physician specializing in allergy, asthma and immunology with a private practice in New York City.