Steer Clear of the Common Cold

Cold & Flu Center

With due diligence and proper hygiene, you can stay sniffle-free this cold season. Here are eight ways to keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others:


Hands off: Because cold germs can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those parts of your body.


Stay away: If possible, avoid being around people who have colds.


Stand back: If you have a cold, avoid being close to other people.


Be polite: If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth.


Soap up: Washing your hands with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of colds. When water isn't available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using alcohol-based hand-sanitizing products.


Clean up: Cold-causing rhinoviruses can live up to three hours on your skin and on such objects as telephones and stair railings. Using a virus-killing disinfectant to wipe down these objects may help prevent the spread of infection.


Try a supplement: Some people use the herbal remedy echinacea to treat their colds. Researchers, however, have found that while the herb may help treat your colds if taken in the early stages, it will not help prevent them.


Hit the OJ: Many people are convinced that taking large quantities of vitamin C will prevent colds or relieve symptoms. To test this theory, several large-scale controlled studies involving children and adults have been conducted. To date, no conclusive data have shown that large doses of vitamin C prevent colds; large doses may, however, reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.