ommon cold facts

 The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by many different viruses.

 The common cold is transmitted by virus-infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected
secretions.
 Typical common cold symptoms include
o cough,
o sore throat,
o coughing,
o sneezing, and
o a runny nose.
 Being in cold weather does not cause the common cold, but cold weather promotes close contact.
 Over-the-counter medications may be used for the treatment of the common cold.
 Antibiotics are not necessary for the common cold.
 The common cold is a self-limited disease that can generally be managed at home.
 Most people with a common cold recovered in about 7 to 10 days.
 The common cold has no cure, and there is no available vaccine.

10 Tips to Prevent The Common Cold

While it is impossible to completely prevent the spread of colds, there are steps you can take to reduce your and your
family's chances of becoming infected with a virus that causes colds:

 Wash your hands often.

 Avoid touching your face, especially the nose, mouth, and eye areas.
 Don't smoke.
 Use disposable items if someone in your family is infected.
 Keep household surfaces clean.
 If your child has a cold, wash his or her toys as well.
 Use paper towels in the kitchen and bathroom for drying hands after hand washing.
 Throw tissues away after use.
 Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
 Control stress.

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