The common cold is highly infectious and is one of the prevalent infections in humans. It occurs because of more than 200 types of viruses. The common viruses are rhinoviruses. Others include coronaviruses and adenoviruses. Over 100 varieties of rhinoviruses are known to cause the common cold. Therefore, it is not easy for the immune system of your body to defend you from the infection. Usually, an average person experiences two to three episodes of the common cold annually. A normal child suffers from about six common cold infections yearly.
The spread of the common cold occurs mainly due to inhalation of tiny droplets, which enter the air when a person with the common cold coughs, talks, or sneezes. Otherwise, you can catch the infection by touching the contaminated objects or surfaces with nasal secretions from a patient and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. The spread of cold viruses also occurs through the personal contact, like handshakes.
There is no specific vaccine or other medication to prevent the infection. However, some simple precautions and lifestyle changes help reduce the risk of getting the common cold.
Wash your hands
Frequent hand washing with soap and water help prevent 80 % of the infectious diseases, including the common cold, which are transmitted simply by touching. This is possibly one of the best preventive measures. After spending time in the gym, shopping complexes, buses, trains, and other public places, it is better you to wash your hands properly. Keeping sanitising hand wipes or a hand sanitiser will help you to clean the hands as required, after you visit public places. You should teach your children to wash their hands too. Especially, wash your hands before preparing or eating meals. If you have the common cold, hand washing will minimise the contamination of surfaces and objects hence spread of the disease.
Stay away from touching your nasal area, mouth, or eyes, if you are close to a person with the common cold or are in a public place.
Clean the household surfaces and objects
When a person with the common cold uses or touches an object or a surface, he or she spreads a large amount of viruses on it. These viruses can stay there for more than 24 hours. Therefore, frequent cleaning of telephones, light switches, door knobs, remote controls, sinks, knives, cups, glasses, countertops, drawer pulls, children’s toys will help prevent the infection. Wipe them frequently with a disinfectant solution or soap and water, especially when a family member has the common cold.
Do not smoke
Active as well as passive cigarette smoking increases vulnerability to respiratory tract infection, including the common cold. It can suppress your immune system. Cigarette smoke also paralyses or destroys the cilia, which are microscopic hairlike structures in your nasal cavity and airways. The cilia move rhythmically to expel secretions, which contain viruses and bacteria, from the respiratory tract. One cigarette can inhibit the movements of cilia for about 30-40 minutes.
Avoid alcohol
Heavy alcohol consumption inhibits the immune system. Therefore, binge drinking increases the risk of primary viral infection and complications. Alcohol consumption also dehydrates your body, increasing the risk of the common cold further.
Use tissues and paper towels properly
Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose, when you cough or sneeze. Dispose used tissues immediately and then, wash your hands thoroughly. Do not keep them on any surface because, viruses can contaminate the household surfaces. If you don’t have tissues, you should cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow. Therefore, you can cover your mouth and nose without using your hands. This method minimises the spread of droplets and contamination of surfaces and objects. Teach your children also to do it properly. Use paper towels in the bathroom and kitchen instead of cloth towels as much as possible because, cloth towels can help viruses to exist for a few hours on them. Do not share towels among family members. Offer a clean towel for your guests.
Use disposable cups
Do not share cups, glasses, or plates, especially when a family member has the common cold. Use your own cup or glass. Otherwise, use disposable cups and dispose after each use. It will minimise the risk of accidental spread of the infection from sharing glasses or cups.
Stay away from the person with the cold
Avoid close or prolonged contact with the person, who has the common cold.
Manage stress, depression, and anxiety
Long-term stress, anxiety, or depression can weaken your immune system hence increase the risk of getting the common cold. Therefore, you should minimise emotional stress as much as possible. Get treatments for depression and anxiety. Always, be positive. Live happily and calmly.
Keep up your healthy lifestyle
A balanced healthy diet, adequate sleep, relaxation, and exercise help reduce the risk of the common cold because, a healthy lifestyle can improve the functioning of your immune system.
Select proper child care centres
A good child care centre should have a decent policy about keeping sick children and hygiene practices. It helps prevent the spread of infections among children, including the common cold.
Related Links:
What Is the Common Cold?
Complications of the Common Cold
How to Manage Common Cold?
How to Improve Immunity in Children?
Related Links:
What Is the Common Cold?
Complications of the Common Cold
How to Manage Common Cold?
How to Improve Immunity in Children?
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