How can cold be prevented

Cause of Colds Over different viruses can cause a cold. Course of a Cold A cold usually runs its course without complications in seven to ten days. Treatment Because there is no cure for the common cold, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Nasal washes with a saline solution may be helpful for nasal congestion. Oral tablet or syrup decongestants may also relieve nasal symptoms. Prevention There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of colds including: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Not only is working out good for your cardiovascular system and weight management, staying fit boosts your immunity and helps you manage your stress levels, which is important for staying healthy in flu season. If you are out and about, keep a bottle of alcohol-based sanitizer in your bag or pocket to de-germ on the go. Germs lurk underneath your nails and biting your nails is just another way you can become infected with the cold or flu virus.

Avoid people who are already sick. If someone is coughing or sneezing, keep your distance. Likewise, if you are sick and contagious, take time to rest at home so you can get better and not spread germs to those you come in contact with. Eat a healthy diet. Just like working out, eating right can have benefits for not only your weight, but also your immune system. Get your vital daily nutrients from fruits and vegetables to keep your immunity strong.

You can also buy vitamin D supplements at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Shop for vitamin D. Staying active by following a regular exercise routine — such as walking three times a week — does more than keep you fit and trim. According to a study published in the journal Neurologic Clinicians, regular exercise also:. Healthy adult participants who slept a minimum of eight hours each night over a two-week period showed a greater resistance to the virus.

Those who slept seven hours or less each night were about three percent more likely to develop the virus after exposure. One reason may be that the body releases cytokines during extended periods of sleep. Cytokines are a type of protein. They help the body fight infection by regulating the immune system.

Alcohol suppressed the immunity in mice to varying degrees. Doctors say the study helps explain why vaccines are less effective for people with alcohol addiction. For years, doctors suspected there was a connection between chronic mental stress and physical illness. Finding an effective way to regulate personal stress may go a long way toward better overall health, according to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences.

Try practicing yoga or meditation to relieve stress. Cortisol helps the body fight inflammation and disease. The constant release of the hormone in people who are chronically stressed lessens its overall effectiveness. This can result in increased inflammation and disease, as well as a less effective immune system. For centuries, green tea has been associated with good health. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition , several fresh-brewed cups a day can lead to potential health benefits.

These include lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Shop for green tea. Do you have trouble remembering to eat your fruits and vegetables at every meal?

Cooking with all colors of the rainbow will help you get a wide range of vitamins such as vitamin C. You should also call your doctor right away if you are at high risk for serious flu complications and get flu symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle or body aches. People at high risk for flu complications include young children younger than 5 years old , adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Your doctor can determine if you or your child has a cold or the flu and can recommend treatment to help with symptoms.

Many different respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus , human parainfluenza viruses , adenovirus , common human coronaviruses , and human metapneumovirus. The flu, which is caused by influenza viruses, also spreads and causes illness around the same time as the common cold.

Because these two illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult or even impossible to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

Flu can also have very serious complications. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and best way to prevent the flu. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.