A cold is a viral illness that can cause a sore, scratchy throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. Other symptoms that may occur later include headache, stuffy nose, watering eyes, hacking cough, chills, and general malaise (ill-feeling) lasting from 2 to 7 days. Some cases may last for two weeks. Most colds in adults are caused by the rhinoviruses ("rhino" refers to the nose). There are more than one hundred kinds of rhinoviruses. The cold virus may be spread through sneezes, coughs or handling virus-contaminated objects.
More people catch colds when the weather temperature is cold than when it is warm outside because they tend to be inside more often and longer. People tend to blame cool temperatures for getting a cold rather than being in closer, prolonged contact with people who have a cold.
You cannot cure a cold. Antibiotics will not help a cold because it is a virus. Since there's no cure, the best way you can help protect yourself from getting a cold is by following good personal hygiene practices and taking care of yourself.
Here are some ways you can help prevent catching or spreading the cold:
- Washing hands properly and frequently.
- Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Wiping noses using disposable tissues in a way that secretions are contained by the tissue without contaminating the hands
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth after touching objects that could be contaminated with the cold virus, such as doorknobs or stair railings.
- Avoiding nail biting (especially important for infections that are transmitted orally)
- A healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep are also important in helping to prevent colds.
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Decrease stress. Studies have shown that people are more susceptible to getting colds after times of psychological stress.
Here is what you can do once you have caught the common cold:
- Get plenty of rest.
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Drink lots of fluid (at least 8 cups or more of water, juice, or non-caffeinated beverages).
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Pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and Tylenol, can lessen aches, pains and fevers.
- An over-the-counter cold medication may lessen some of the symptoms (Canteen has several types of cold medications).
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