Przewlekłe zapalenie zatok nie jest wprost wymienione, ale „przewlekłe zapalenie zatok” to schorzenie, które może być związane z objawami przeziębieni
Zapobieganie i profilaktyka

Przeziębienie, będące ostrym wirusowym zakażeniem górnych dróg oddechowych, jest wywoływane przez ponad 200 różnych wirusów, co uniemożliwia opracowanie skutecznej szczepionki. Kluczowymi metodami profilaktyki są higiena rąk – mycie przez minimum 20 sekund z użyciem mydła lub stosowanie środków odkażających na bazie alkoholu (≥60% alkoholu) – oraz unikanie bliskiego kontaktu z osobami chorymi, zachowanie dystansu około 2 metrów, noszenie maseczek w miejscach o wysokim ryzyku oraz regularna dezynfekcja powierzchni dotykowych. Ponadto, ograniczenie dotykania twarzy nieumytymi rękoma oraz prawidłowa etykieta kaszlu i kichania (kaszel/kichanie w chusteczkę lub zgięcie łokcia) znacząco zmniejszają ryzyko transmisji wirusa. Szczególne znaczenie ma wzmacnianie układu odpornościowego poprzez regularną aktywność fizyczną, odpowiednią ilość snu, zbilansowaną dietę, nawodnienie oraz redukcję stresu.

Przeziębienie – Profilaktyka i Zapobieganie

Przeziębienie, znane medycznie jako ostre wirusowe zakażenie górnych dróg oddechowych, dotyka nosa, zatok, gardła i krtani. Jest jedną z najczęstszych chorób, powodując nieobecności w pracy i szkole. Profilaktyka tej choroby ma kluczowe znaczenie, ponieważ istnieje ponad 200 różnych wirusów mogących powodować przeziębienie, co uniemożliwia stworzenie skutecznej szczepionki123.

Higiena rąk jako podstawa profilaktyki

Mycie rąk jest uznawane za najskuteczniejszą i najbardziej praktyczną metodę zapobiegania infekcjom górnych dróg oddechowych u dzieci i dorosłych12. Wirus przenosi się przez bezpośredni kontakt z wydzielinami osoby zakażonej lub przez aerozol wydzielin i wirusa3. Właściwe mycie rąk może zmniejszyć ryzyko zachorowania nawet o 20%1.

Aby skutecznie myć ręce, należy:1

  • Myć ręce często, szczególnie po kaszlu, kichaniu, korzystaniu z toalety i przed jedzeniem
  • Namydlić ręce, pocierając je o siebie przez co najmniej 20 sekund
  • Dokładnie spłukać pod bieżącą wodą
  • Osuszyć ręce czystym ręcznikiem lub pozwolić im wyschnąć na powietrzu

2

W przypadku braku dostępu do mydła i wody, zaleca się stosowanie środków odkażających do rąk na bazie alkoholu (zawierających co najmniej 60% alkoholu)12.

Ograniczanie kontaktu z osobami chorymi

Unikanie bliskiego kontaktu z osobami chorymi jest kluczowym elementem profilaktyki przeziębienia12. Wirus przeziębienia rozprzestrzenia się głównie przez kropelki wydzielane podczas kaszlu, kichania lub mówienia, a także przez bezpośredni kontakt z zakażoną osobą1.

Zalecenia dotyczące ograniczania rozprzestrzeniania się wirusa obejmują:12

  • Zachowanie dystansu od osób chorych, co najmniej 6 stóp (około 2 metrów)
  • Pozostanie w domu, gdy jest się chorym, aby uniknąć zarażania innych
  • Unikanie dużych skupisk ludzi, szczególnie w słabo wentylowanych pomieszczeniach
  • Korzystanie z maseczek w miejscach o wysokim ryzyku infekcji

Higiena otoczenia i dezynfekcja powierzchni

Wirusy wywołujące przeziębienie mogą przetrwać na powierzchniach przez kilka godzin, a nawet dni1. Regularne czyszczenie i dezynfekcja często dotykanych powierzchni może zmniejszyć ryzyko przenoszenia wirusa1.

Szczególną uwagę należy zwrócić na:12

  • Klamki i poręcze
  • Włączniki światła
  • Telefony i klawiatury
  • Blaty kuchenne i łazienkowe
  • Zabawki dziecięce

Szczególnie ważne jest czyszczenie powierzchni, gdy ktoś w domu jest chory, używając odpowiednich środków dezynfekujących1.

Unikanie dotykania twarzy

Wirusy przeziębienia mogą przedostać się do organizmu przez oczy, nos i usta1. Unikanie dotykania twarzy nieumytymi rękoma znacząco zmniejsza ryzyko infekcji12.

Badania pokazują, że ludzie często nieświadomie dotykają twarzy, co zwiększa ryzyko zakażenia1. Wyrobienie nawyku unikania dotykania oczu, nosa i ust może pomóc w zapobieganiu przeziębieniom1.

Właściwa etykieta podczas kaszlu i kichania

Prawidłowe zachowanie podczas kaszlu i kichania może znacząco ograniczyć rozprzestrzenianie się wirusa1.

Zalecenia obejmują:12

  • Kaszlenie i kichanie w chusteczkę, a następnie natychmiastowe jej wyrzucenie
  • W przypadku braku chusteczki, kaszlenie lub kichanie w zgięcie łokcia, a nie w dłoń
  • Mycie rąk po kaszlu, kichaniu lub wydmuchiwaniu nosa
  • Unikanie kaszlu i kichania w pobliżu innych osób

Wzmacnianie układu odpornościowego

Silny układ odpornościowy stanowi najlepszą obronę przed przeziębieniem1. Może nie zapobiec zakażeniu, ale przyspieszy czas powrotu do zdrowia.

Metody wzmacniania układu odpornościowego obejmują:12

  • Regularna aktywność fizyczna – przyspiesza krążenie białych krwinek, co pomaga organizmowi zwalczać przeziębienie
  • Odpowiednia ilość snu – badania wykazały, że niewystarczająca ilość snu osłabia układ odpornościowy
  • Zbilansowana dieta bogata w owoce, warzywa i produkty pełnoziarniste
  • Odpowiednie nawodnienie – picie dużej ilości wody pomaga w utrzymaniu nawilżenia błon śluzowych
  • Redukcja stresuprzewlekły stres może osłabiać układ odpornościowy

3

Suplementacja witamin i minerałów

Badania nad skutecznością różnych suplementów w zapobieganiu przeziębieniom przyniosły mieszane wyniki12.

Najlepiej udokumentowane korzyści dotyczą:12

  • Witamina C – chociaż profilaktyczne stosowanie witaminy C nie zmniejsza częstości przeziębień, może skrócić czas trwania choroby o około 8% u dorosłych i jeszcze więcej u dzieci
  • Cynk – profilaktyczne stosowanie siarczanu cynku przez co najmniej pięć miesięcy może zmniejszyć częstość wirusowych przeziębień, nieobecności w szkole i stosowania antybiotyków u dzieci
  • Probiotyki – niektóre badania sugerują, że mogą pomóc w zapobieganiu infekcjom górnych dróg oddechowych

Należy jednak pamiętać, że przyjmowanie dużych dawek witamin może powodować działania niepożądane, dlatego przed rozpoczęciem suplementacji warto skonsultować się z lekarzem1.

Szczepienia

Chociaż nie istnieje szczepionka przeciwko przeziębieniu ze względu na różnorodność wywołujących je wirusów, szczepienia przeciwko grypie i COVID-19 mogą pomóc w zapobieganiu podobnym objawom i powikłaniom12.

Rekomendacje dotyczące szczepień obejmują:12

  • Coroczne szczepienie przeciwko grypie dla osób powyżej 6 miesiąca życia
  • Szczepienie przeciwko COVID-19 zgodnie z zaleceniami
  • Utrzymywanie aktualnego kalendarza szczepień, szczególnie u dzieci

Warto pamiętać, że szczepionka przeciwko grypie nie zapobiega przeziębieniom, ale może zmniejszyć ryzyko wystąpienia podobnych objawów wywołanych wirusem grypy1.

Specjalne zalecenia dla różnych grup wiekowych

Niemowlęta i małe dzieci

Dzieci, szczególnie uczęszczające do żłobków i przedszkoli, są szczególnie narażone na przeziębienia1. Specjalne zalecenia dla tej grupy obejmują:12

  • Trzymanie niemowląt z dala od osób chorych
  • Wybór mniejszych grup w przedszkolach i żłobkach
  • Nauczanie dzieci właściwego mycia rąk
  • Regularne czyszczenie zabawek i miejsc zabawy
  • Karmienie piersią, jeśli to możliwe, co może zapewnić dodatkową ochronę

3

Osoby starsze

Osoby starsze mogą być bardziej podatne na powikłania związane z przeziębieniem1. Zalecenia dla tej grupy obejmują:2

  • Szczególnie dokładne przestrzeganie zasad higieny rąk
  • Unikanie dużych skupisk ludzi w sezonie przeziębień
  • Zapewnienie odpowiedniej ilości białka w diecie
  • Regularne nawadnianie
  • Umiarkowana aktywność fizyczna dla wzmocnienia układu odpornościowego

Inne metody profilaktyki

Istnieją również inne, mniej konwencjonalne metody profilaktyki przeziębienia, których skuteczność jest różnie oceniana w badaniach naukowych1.

  • Nawilżanie powietrza – niska wilgotność wysusza błony śluzowe nosa, co utrudnia zatrzymywanie i eliminację wirusów; nawilżacz może pomóc w utrzymaniu nawilżenia błon śluzowych1
  • Płukanie nosa roztworem soliirygacja nosa solą fizjologiczną jako środek zapobiegawczy u dzieci może być lepsza niż standardowe leczenie różnych objawów przeziębienia1
  • Stosowanie sprayów do nosa – badania sugerują, że dostępne bez recepty spraye do nosa mogą pomóc w zapobieganiu infekcjom górnych dróg oddechowych, szczególnie przy pierwszych objawach przeziębienia1
  • Preparaty ziołowe – istnieją ograniczone dowody na skuteczność niektórych preparatów ziołowych, takich jak jeżówka (Echinacea), w zapobieganiu przeziębieniom1

Postępowanie gdy już chorujemy

Jeśli już zachorujemy na przeziębienie, ważne jest stosowanie się do pewnych zasad, aby nie zarażać innych:12

  • Pozostanie w domu przez pierwsze dni choroby, gdy zakaźność jest największa
  • Unikanie bliskiego kontaktu z innymi osobami
  • Częste mycie rąk, szczególnie po kaszlu, kichaniu czy wydmuchiwaniu nosa
  • Dezynfekcja dotykanych powierzchni i przedmiotów
  • Używanie jednorazowych ręczników papierowych zamiast materiałowych
  • Nieudostępnianie osobistych przedmiotów, takich jak szklanki czy sztućce

Nowe kierunki badań nad zapobieganiem przeziębieniom

Trwają intensywne badania nad nowymi metodami zapobiegania przeziębieniom12. Obiecujące kierunki obejmują:

  • Badania nad naturalnymi mechanizmami obronnymi organizmu przeciwko wirusom wywołującym przeziębienie1
  • Rozwój leków przeciwwirusowych1
  • Poszukiwanie szczepionek przeciwko najczęstszym wirusom wywołującym przeziębienie, takim jak rinowirus/” title=”rinowirus” class=”to-tag” data-termid=”32451″>rinowirus2
  • Badania nad środkami przeciwzapalnymi stosowanymi w sprayu do nosa1

Warto pamiętać, że przewlekłe zapalenie zatok nie jest wprost wymienione, ale „przewlekłe zapalenie zatok” to schorzenie, które może być związane z objawami przeziębienia. Jednakże skuteczna profilaktyka przeziębień może pomóc również w zapobieganiu przewlekłemu zapaleniu zatok poprzez ograniczenie liczby infekcji górnych dróg oddechowych1.

Najważniejsze zasady profilaktyki przeziębienia

Najskuteczniejsze metody zapobiegania przeziębieniom obejmują:12

  • Częste i dokładne mycie rąk wodą z mydłem przez co najmniej 20 sekund
  • Unikanie dotykania oczu, nosa i ust nieumytymi rękoma
  • Zachowanie dystansu od osób chorych
  • Stosowanie właściwej etykiety podczas kaszlu i kichania
  • Regularne czyszczenie i dezynfekcja często dotykanych powierzchni
  • Wzmacnianie układu odpornościowego poprzez zdrowy styl życia, odpowiednią dietę i aktywność fizyczną
  • Pozostanie w domu w przypadku choroby, aby nie zarażać innych

Stosowanie tych zasad może znacząco zmniejszyć ryzyko zachorowania na przeziębienie i ograniczyć rozprzestrzenianie się wirusa w społeczeństwie1.

Kolejne rozdziały

Zapraszamy do dalszego czytania naszego leksykonu.

Wybierz kolejny rozdział z menu poniżej, aby otworzyć nową podstronę kompedium wiedzy i uzyskać szczegółowe informację o leku, substancji lub chorobie.

  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Common colds: Symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606
    As so many viruses can cause a cold, it is difficult to develop a vaccine. […] However, people can take precautions to help prevent catching a cold. […] These include: Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a cold. […] Following a healthful and varied diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. […] Always sneezing or coughing into a tissue, then discarding the tissue carefully and washing your hands at once. […] If there is no tissue available, coughing or sneezing into the upper shirt sleeve, covering the nose and mouth completely. […] Washing hands regularly with soapy water for at least 20 seconds. […] Keeping surfaces at work and in the home. […] Avoiding touching the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth. […] Hand-washing and other hygiene practices can help prevent a cold.
  • #1 Treatment of the Common Cold | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0901/p281.html
    Good hand hygiene is the most effective and practical way to prevent URIs in children and adults. The use of hand sanitizer is more protective than hand washing and is associated with shorter duration of symptoms and fewer school absences. Washing hands several times per day for at least 15 to 30 seconds can help prevent illness. Regular soap is as effective as antibacterial soap. […] Interventions with limited or no effectiveness for the prevention of the common cold include ginseng and echinacea, adenovirus vaccination, vitamin C or D, probiotics, and water gargles. […] The use of hand sanitizer or hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the common cold.
  • #1 How to Prevent a Cold | TYLENOL®
    https://www.tylenol.com/adult-relief/cold-flu/preventing-a-cold
    Here are some tips on how to stop a cold before it starts: […] Preventing a cold begins with your immune system. Drinking fluids, eating a balanced diet and snacking on yogurt may help your body prepare for and potentially even prevent a cold. […] Common cold prevention is sometimes as simple as avoiding people who have a cold, especially during the first 2-3 days that symptoms like a sore throat appear. […] A great way to help prevent a cold is to frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds (or hum Happy Birthday twice). By targeting how germs spread, you can reduce your chance of getting a cold by about 20%. […] Keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose to avoid spreading germs. A single gram of bacteria can contain 1 trillion germs.
  • #1 Cold Prevention: Tips and Precautions | Zicam®
    https://www.zicam.com/cold-and-flu-tips/cold-prevention
    Cold viruses spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, sending virus-infected droplets into the air. […] Washing your hands thoroughly and often will help to reduce your chances of catching a cold from having touched a surface infected with one of the more than 200 different viruses that can cause a cold. […] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a five-step process for washing your hands: Wet your hands with clean, running water and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together. Don’t forget to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands under clean, running water. Dry your hands using a clean towel or allow them to air dry. […] If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to help protect against catching a cold.
  • #1 Tips to Prevent the Common Cold – MSU Health Care Pharmacy
    https://pharmacy.msu.edu/resources/tips-to-prevent-the-common-cold
    Cold and flu season is here, but that doesn’t have to mean you or your family will get sick. Outsmart germs with these simple strategies. […] When it comes to colds, prevention is key. […] Hand-washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of the common cold. […] You can lower your risk of getting a cold by washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. […] If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends. […] Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses live on your hands and can easily enter your body this way. […] If you can, stay away from anyone who is sick. If this is not possible, try to remain at least six feet away from those who are sick. Colds are spread through close contact with infected people.
  • #1
    https://www.prevention.com/health/a20469206/how-to-prevent-a-cold/
    Not all bacteria are badthe good kind of bugs in your gut, found in probiotic foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha, might help support your immune system. […] Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like a cold. […] Sometimes this is easier said than done, but doing your best to stay away from those who are coughing and sneezing will go a long way toward keeping you healthy.
  • #1 Common cold – including symptoms, treatment and prevention | SA Health
    https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/common+cold/common+cold+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention
    The common cold may be caused by any one of over 100 known cold viruses. […] The common cold is spread when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes small droplets containing infectious agents into the air. The droplets in the air may be breathed in by those nearby. The common cold is also spread by indirect contact with hands, tissues or other articles soiled by nose and throat discharges. […] Exclusion from childcare, preschool, school or work is not necessary, but a person with a cold should stay home until he or she feels well, and COVID-19 test is negative. […] Wash hands after contact with soiled tissues or with nose and throat discharges. […] Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. […] Some viruses live for several days on surfaces (for example telephones, door handles, computer keyboards). Wipe down all frequently touched surfaces with a cloth dampened with detergent.
  • #1 Common Cold: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Care | Banner
    https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/infectious-disease/treatment/common-cold
    Practicing good hygiene and avoiding exposure to known sources of infection can help protect you and make it less likely you will get sick. […] Here are some effective strategies to prevent getting colds: […] Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Make sure to wash for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing is especially important after being in public places, touching surfaces or being near someone who is sick. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. […] Try to avoid close contact with people who have colds. This includes keeping a safe distance and avoiding physical contact such as handshakes and hugs. […] Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others. […] Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, keyboards and phones to prevent the spread of viruses through touch.
  • #1 How to Prevent Colds and Keep Them From Coming Back
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-can-you-prevent-colds-8720087
    Hand hygiene practices: Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a highly effective way to remove countless viruses, including those that cause the common cold. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good substitute if soap and water are unavailable. […] Avoid touching your face: Viruses can easily enter our bodies through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Not touching your face reduces the odds of catching a cold. […] Disinfect surfaces: Cold-causing viruses can survive on inanimate surface areas for hours. Regularly disinfecting commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, faucet handles, and on/off light switches helps reduce viral transmission. […] Promote air circulation and ventilation: Ensuring good airflow in indoor spaces reduces the concentration of airborne viruses. Cracking the windows when weather permits makes breathing in viral particles less likely, especially in enclosed environments.
  • #1
  • #1 15 Tips & Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cold Symptoms │ Vicks
    https://vicks.com/en-us/treatments/how-to-treat-a-cold/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold
    Keep things clean […] It’s just as important to keep the virus from spreading to your friends and family as it is to relieve your own symptoms. Make sure to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home and work. Be especially mindful to do so during cold and flu season, or whenever someone around you is sick. Better yet? Stay home from work and avoid spreading the cold virus to those around you. […] Eat foods that support your immune system […] Foods with vitamin C can help to maintain your immune system and get you back to normal quicker. Examples of foods that have vitamin C include fruits like oranges, lemons, strawberries, red peppers, mangoes, broccoli, and other fruits and vegetables. […] Use the right over-the-counter (OTC) meds […] Non-prescription medicine can help ease your cold symptoms. Although Vicks products cannot cure a cold, they can help you feel better. NyQuil Cold Flu and DayQuil Cold Flu are both good options since they contain a pain reliever/fever reducer and cough suppressant. If you’re suffering from additional symptoms, try NyQuil SEVERE Cold Flu, which also contains a nasal decongestant and DayQuil SEVERE Cold Flu, which contains an expectorant to help loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive. […] Although there is no cure for the common cold, these 15 tips to get rid of a cold can alleviate your symptoms and allow you to get back to your routine activities soon.
  • #1 Cold & Flu Prevention | The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)
    https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/understanding-products/promoting-wellness/cold-flu-prevention
    Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. […] Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. […] Cough or sneeze into your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue. […] Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. […] Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Hand sanitizers are also effective. […] Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. […] Avoid contact with sick people. […] If you get sick, stay home from work or school except to seek medical care and limit contact with others. […] If someone in your household has a cold or the flu, position antibacterial wipes in strategic places around the home and encourage everyone to use them frequently on common-touch surfaces, like the television remote, faucet handles, doorknobs and light switches.
  • #1 Natural Prevention for Colds and Flu
    https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/11-tips-prevent-cold-flu
    Wash your hands often. If you can’t get to a sink, rub them with a hand sanitizer that’s got alcohol in it. […] Do your part to keep germs away from your family and friends. Viruses cling to your bare hands, so don’t use them to muffle your coughs and sneezes. […] Cold and flu viruses enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth. Teach your kids not to touch their faces — and follow your own advice. […] Aerobic exercise is any activity that gets your heart pumping. It helps increase your body’s natural virus-killing cells. […] Heavy smokers get more severe and frequent colds. Even being around smoke hurts the immune system, your body’s defense against germs. […] Heavy drinking curbs the immune system. It can make you more likely to get infections as well as complications. Alcohol also dehydrates your body. […] There’s evidence that your immune system revs up when you de-stress.
  • #1
    https://www.prevention.com/health/a20469206/how-to-prevent-a-cold/
    Even if you dont notice it, you likely touch your face a lot. […] So, maintain a hands-off policy. […] While youre at it, make sure youre washing your hands the right way. […] If you touch a contaminated surface, good hand hygiene will help you avoid infection. […] Think of all the places you put your phone down during the day: the kitchen counter, a bathroom stall, your restaurant tabletalk about a germ-fest. […] If youre already feeling run-down, it can actually pave the way for a cold, since stress causes your body to pump out excess cortisol, a hormone that can weaken your immune systems ability to fight infection. […] A good snooze is key when it comes to preventing colds. […] Research suggests that zinc can actually decrease the growth of viruses. […] When a family member has a cold, try to use disposable glasses or label glasses.
  • #1 Common Cold (Rhinovirus): Symptoms, Cold vs. Flu, Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
    There are several steps you can take to prevent a cold, including: […] Washing your hands frequently, especially before eating or preparing food. Also, wash your hands after using the bathroom, wiping your nose or coming into contact with someone who has a cold. […] Avoiding touching your face: Cold viruses spread from your hands to your eyes, nose and mouth. […] Cleaning frequently used surfaces: Viruses can live on doorknobs and other places people often touch. […] Using hand sanitizers: When you cant wash your hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. […] Strengthening your immune system: Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise so your body is ready to fight off germs. […] Staying home: To make sure you dont spread the cold to others, stay home when youre sick.
  • #1 Cold Care | University Health Services
    https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-promotion/health-topics/colds-and-respiratory-infections/cold-care
    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. […] Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective. […] Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth – Germs spread that way. […] Avoid sharing objects (cups, utensils, cigarettes, etc) with others. […] Manage stress – Stress can lower your body’s ability to fend off colds and cases of flu. […] Eat nutritious foods and take care of yourself. […] Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. […] Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures. […] Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs, and other essential supplies.
  • #1 Understanding Common Cold — Prevention
    https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/understanding-common-cold-prevention
    A strong immune system is the best defense against the common cold. It may not keep you from getting infected, but you’ll recover more quickly. Boost your body’s natural resistance by eating well, getting adequate sleep, not smoking, and drinking plenty of water every day. […] Minimize contact with people who have colds and wash your hands often. Airborne droplets from sneezes or coughs are the most common mode of spreading this virus, so facemasks can help prevent infection. […] Wash your hands frequently and properly. […] Regular hand washing is your best strategy to keep them from getting inside your body. […] The CDC also says the simple act of hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of viral and bacterial infections. […] If you want to help prevent colds, just stop — and wash your hands. […] You should wash your hands often throughout the day. […] Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer for hands if a sink is unavailable. It should be at least 60% alcohol.
  • #1 Cold & Flu Prevention: The Secrets to Never Getting Sick
    https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/cold-flu-secrets
    Regularly exercising, prioritizing sleep, and eating a balanced diet are just a few ways to help prevent colds and other illnesses. […] Here are 12 tips for preventing colds and the flu. […] According to a study published in the journal Neurologic Clinicians, regular exercise also accelerates the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells (WBCs), which helps the body fight the common cold. […] Getting adequate sleep is extremely important if you’ve been exposed to a virus, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. […] A study in the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology compared the dendritic cells and immune system responses in alcohol-fed mice to mice that hadn’t been supplied alcohol. Alcohol suppressed the immunity in mice to varying degrees.
  • #1 Treatment of the Common Cold in Children and Adults | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0715/p153.html
    Prophylactic probiotics, zinc sulfate, nasal saline irrigation, and the herbal preparation Chizukit reduce the incidence of colds in children. […] Prophylactic use of garlic may decrease the frequency of colds in adults, but has no effect on duration of symptoms. […] Prophylactic vitamin C modestly reduces cold symptom duration in adults and children. […] A Cochrane review showed a 13 percent decrease in cold symptoms in children who took 1 g of vitamin C daily before illness, although optimal duration of treatment to achieve these benefits is unknown. […] Zinc sulfate used prophylactically for at least five months reduces the incidence of viral colds, absences from school, and antibiotic use in children. […] The herbal preparation Chizukit decreased the number of cold episodes, the number of days the child was ill, and the number of days the child missed school.
  • #1 Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis | BMC Public Health | Full Text
    https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8
    Randomized trials have shown that vitamin C shortens the duration of common colds. Some trials reported greater effects on severe cold symptoms compared with mild symptoms. Compared to placebo, vitamin C significantly decreased the severity of the common cold by 15% (95% CI 921%). The finding that vitamin C may have a greater effect on more severe measures of the common cold is therefore important. The common cold is the leading cause of acute morbidity and a major cause of absenteeism from work and school. Severe cold symptoms are a common cause of absenteeism. Therefore, the effect of vitamin C on common cold severity and on pragmatic measures of severity, such as days off, or days with severe symptoms, is much more important than the effect on mild symptoms. A few common cold trials reported that vitamin C seemed to have a greater effect on more severe forms of the common cold, so we systematically compared the effect of vitamin C on mild vs. severe symptoms of colds. In this study, we included trials that reported severity scores, duration of severe symptoms, or pragmatic outcomes such as days off school or days confined to the house. Over these three classes of outcomes, we found a 15% average decrease in the severe forms of the common cold in people being administered vitamin C. Vitamin C substantially decreased the severity of colds without influencing their overall duration. Given the low cost and safety of vitamin C, the 15-26% decrease in cold severity may justify regular vitamin C administration in some contexts, such as for people who have frequent contact with young children. Further research should be carried out to estimate the effect of therapeutic vitamin C which is started immediately after the onset of early common cold symptoms.
  • #1 Colds (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth
    https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cold.html
    Because so many viruses cause colds, there isn’t a vaccine to protect against them. To help avoid catching one, kids should: steer clear of anyone who has a cold […] avoid secondhand smoke […] wash their hands well and often, especially after blowing their noses […] sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow, not into their hands […] not share towels, drinking glasses, or eating utensils with someone who has a cold […] not pick up other people’s used tissues. […] Experts aren’t sure whether taking extra zinc or vitamin C can limit how long cold symptoms last or how severe they get, but large doses taken every day can cause negative side effects. […] Talk to your doctor before you give your child any herbal remedy or more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of any vitamin or supplement.
  • #1 What Is the Difference Between Cold and Flu? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
    https://www.everydayhealth.com/flu/guide/
    To avoid getting the flu in the first place, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year (unless you’ve had a severe allergic reaction in the past). […] The best tool to prevent the flu is getting the vaccine. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most effective thing we have, says Carol Baker, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Houston. […] There is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, but practicing good hygiene can reduce the risk of illness or spreading viruses to others. […] The CDC recommends washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds at a time and not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. […] Wearing a mask can help decrease the transmission of common colds and the flu; masking, along with other precautions taken during the pandemic, is thought to be responsible for the large drop in flu cases during 2020 and 2021, notes the CDC.
  • #1 Common Cold Treatment | Mass General Brigham
    https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/common-cold-treatment
    Stay up-to-date on all recommended vaccines, like the flu and COVID-19. […] Practice good hand hygiene. […] When you have a respiratory virus, take precautions to prevent spread.
  • #1 Common cold
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
    Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. […] To reduce the risk of spreading a cold: wash your hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, bin used tissues as quickly as possible. […] A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished. […] The best ways to avoid catching a cold are: washing your hands with warm water and soap, not sharing towels or household items (like cups or children’s toys) with someone who has a cold, not touching your eyes or nose in case you’ve come into contact with the virus, staying fit and healthy. […] The flu vaccine does not prevent colds.
  • #1 Common Cold (Rhinovirus): Symptoms, Cold vs. Flu, Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
    The best way to prevent your baby from catching a cold is to keep them away from people who have colds. […] Hand washing is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds: […] Keep your baby up-to-date on all of the recommended immunizations. They wont stop colds, but they can help prevent some complications, such as bacterial infections of their ears or lungs.
  • #1 Content – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=90&contentid=P02966
    To help children stay healthy: […] Colds can be prevented by washing hands often. […] Keep children away from people with a cold. […] Teach children to wash their hands often. Have them wash their hands before eating, and after using the bathroom, playing with animals, or coughing or sneezing. Carry an alcohol-based hand gel for times when soap and water aren’t available. The gel should be at least 60% alcohol. […] Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth. […] Make sure toys and play areas are correctly cleaned, especially if several children are playing together.
  • #1 A Common-Sense Guide to the Common Cold for Older Adults
    https://www.ncoa.org/article/a-common-sense-guide-to-the-common-cold-for-older-adults/
    Colds are very contagious. They spread through droplets of virus-containing fluid, such as the ones you produce when you sneeze or cough. While colds largely spread through the transfer of these droplets by touch, they can also be inhaled. […] The steps to prevent colds are very similar to the ones we’ve been taking during the pandemic to prevent COVID-19. Most important is washing your hands frequently using soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. If you’re somewhere without access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol. Other essential cold-prevention tips include: […] Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, since this is an easy way for germs to spread. Wash your hands thoroughly after blowing your nose. […] Disinfect your environment regularly, paying close attention to countertops, doorknobs, light switches, and handles of appliances (e.g. fridge).
  • #1 The Common Cold: Potential for Future Prevention or Cure
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7088639/
    URT viruses are spread primarily through direct contact, airborne particles, and aerosols. Physical interventions include basic hygiene measures, which nevertheless, can be quite effective in preventing the transmission of the disease. Thorough hand washing, which is more effective than ethanol sanitizer, and general protection against auto-inoculation by minimizing finger-to-nose spread help to reduce the rates of transmission. Implementing barriers to transmission, such as isolation, and hygiene measures (wearing masks, gloves and gowns) can be effective in containing respiratory virus epidemics or in hospital wards. […] is currently available only for influenza and is efficient in preventing infection. Recently a new Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector encoding nucleoprotein and matrix protein 1 (MVA-NP+M1) was evaluated in phase I clinical trial in healthy adults and found to be both safe and immunogenic, leading to high frequencies of responding T cells.
  • #1
    https://www.prevention.com/health/a20469206/how-to-prevent-a-cold/
    When you start to feel a cold coming on, its understandable to feel annoyed. […] Of course, prevention is the most effective way to stop a cold before it starts. […] The best thing you can do to feel healthy during the colder months? Stop a cold from taking over your body in the first place. […] Low humidity dries out your nasal passages, making it harder to trap and eliminate the micro-bugs that settle in your sinuses, eventually leading to a cold. […] A humidifier may help to keep the mucous membranes moist. […] Research shows that people who dont get enough vitamin D are much more likely to suffer from an upper respiratory infectioncausing a cough, scratchy throat, or stuffy nosethan those who load up on the sunshine vitamin, potentially because your cells depend on D to activate their immune responses.
  • #1 Treatment of the Common Cold in Children and Adults | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0715/p153.html
    Nasal irrigation with saline as a preventive measure in children is better than standard treatment for multiple cold symptoms. […] The prophylactic use of vitamin C does not reduce the incidence of colds, but decreases illness duration by 8 percent. […] Frequent hand washing can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses in all ages and can reduce transmission from children to other household members.
  • #1
    https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2024/07/overcounter-nasal-sprays-could-keep-colds-and-flu-at-bay-study-finds.page
    Nasal sprays available over-the counter could keep upper respiratory tract infections like colds, chest infections, and flu at bay, a new study has found. […] Given these results, our advice, particularly for those at higher risk from infections or those who get recurrent infections, is at the first sign of cough, sore throat, cold or flu like symptoms, use a nasal spray to prevent it from developing fully, and to use the sprays preventatively after close exposure to people with infections. […] Our analysis suggests that the benefits were even greater when people used the sprays more often – we advised six times a day at the first sign of a cold – but many people in the study did not use the spray that often. […] All three interventions reduced antibiotic use, a relative risk reduction of more than 25 per cent, and also the number of days with more severe symptoms. […] If widely used these interventions could potentially have a valuable role for reducing antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance, and in reducing the impact of respiratory viruses for patients, the health service and the wider economy.
  • #1 Common Cold | Cochrane Complementary Medicine
    https://cam.cochrane.org/common-cold
    Preparations made up of alcoholic extracts of Echinacea or pressed juice from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea might have beneficial effects on cold symptoms (including runny nose) in adults if treatment is started early. […] Two trials (three comparisons) investigated whether taking Echinacea preparations for 8 to 12 weeks prevented colds but found no clear effect compared with placebo. […] Taking vitamin C supplementation did not reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population, indicating that routine mega-doses are not rationally justified for community use. […] Evidence shows that vitamin C could be justified for people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise or cold environments and could halve the risk of getting a cold. […] Thirty trial comparisons involving 11,350 study participants contributed to the data on the relative risk of developing a cold while taking vitamin C or a non-active placebo for two weeks to six months. The risk of a cold was not different with vitamin C or placebo.
  • #1 Cold Prevention: Tips and Precautions | Zicam®
    https://www.zicam.com/cold-and-flu-tips/cold-prevention
    Cold viruses can enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching these areas with unwashed hands. It’s also a good idea to stay away from people who are sick, as the viruses that cause the common cold can spread through close personal contact or even through the air. […] If you have a cold, here are a few tips to protect those around you from catching a cold, too: Stay at home while you are sick you are the most contagious in the first few days of your cold. Avoid close contact with others, such as hugging or shaking hands. Step away from other people if you have to cough or sneeze. Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose. Disinfect the surfaces and objects that you touch. Use paper towels instead of cloth towels to wipe your hands or face.
  • #1 Colds: How to Prevent Them > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/colds
    The common cold is one of the most stubborn challenges in health care, but Yale Medicine is working on finding better solutions. […] Along with other Yale colleagues, Dr. Foxman is investigating the natural defenses that our bodies use to fight off infection with cold-causing viruses. […] Rhinovirus spreads from person to person. People most often pick it up by touching their faces after coming into contact with surfaces where the virus is present. […] Relief for the common cold is found through resting, increasing intake of fluids, gargling with warm salt water and possibly taking over-the-counter cold medicines, such as decongestants or cough suppressants. […] If we understand the natural defense mechanisms that keep us from getting sick, we can better suppress colds. This is what we’re working towards.
  • #1 The Common Cold: Potential for Future Prevention or Cure
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7088639/
    Despite the ongoing efforts there are no licensed vaccines for parainfluenza. HPIV3 cp45 is being evaluated in clinical trials. […] Several approaches have been used to develop vaccines against RSV but currently no vaccines have been approved for use in humans. […] As RV is the most common culprit, vaccine development is of great interest. An obstacle to overcome is the more than 100 different serotypes and the high-mutation rate during viral replication. […] A rational approach to tackle with common cold is the development of anti-viral agents. However, the diverse etiology makes the development of a uniform anti-viral drug unlikely.
  • #1 Developed to protect against common cold viruses! – Agovirax
    https://agovirax.com/viruses/common-cold-prevention-tips/
    Efficacy validated according to the latest European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 Clinically proven efficacy of AGOVIRAX Reduces the amount of viruses in the nasopharyngeal mucosa by up to 92%1 Reduces the risk of COVID-19 by up to 80%2 Shortens the duration of the disease on average by 2 days3 Reduces the severity of common cold symptoms by up to 3 times1 Lowers the frequency of relapses by 2 times3 The only patented medicinal products on the Baltic market containing iota-carrageenan, whose efficacy against viruses that cause common cold has been clinically proven in human studies. Medical devices indicated for the prophylaxis and supportive treatment of viral upper respiratory tract infections. […] AGOVIRAX is recommended for prophylactic use to protect against cold viruses, especially when visiting places with a high risk of infection.
  • #1 Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3928210/
    The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract involving the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. The virus is spread by hand contact with secretions from an infected person (direct or indirect) or aerosol of the secretions and virus. Symptoms, which generally relate to the infected mucosa, typically peak at 13 days and last 710 days, although they occasionally persist for three weeks. Stress and poor sleep may increase the risk of the common cold among adults, whereas attendance at a daycare centre increases the risk among preschool children. […] We review the evidence underpinning preventive and treatment interventions for the common cold. […] Preventive therapies are summarized in Table 1. Physical intervention (e.g., handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand disinfectant, gloves, masks) has a systematic review of 67 studies suggesting general reduced risk with handwashing, hand disinfectant, gloves and masks. Zinc appears to be effective in reducing the number of colds per year, at least in children. Probiotics may be helpful in preventing upper respiratory tract infections, but the interventions and evidence are inconsistent. Frequent gargling with water may help reduce episodes of upper respiratory tract infection, but evidence is limited to a single study. […] The best evidence for the prevention of the common cold supports physical interventions (e.g., handwashing) and possibly the use of zinc supplements.
  • #1 Common Cold | Cedars-Sinai
    https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/common-cold.html
    The best way to avoid catching a cold is to wash your hands often and stay away from people who have colds. When you are around people with colds, don’t touch your nose or eyes. Your hands may be contaminated with the virus. […] Cleaning surfaces with disinfectants that kill viruses can halt the spread of the common cold. Rhinoviruses may survive up to 3 hours outside of the nasal lining. […] The best prevention for the common cold is frequent hand washing and staying away from people who have colds.
  • #2 Rhinovirus (Common Cold) | Disease Outbreak Control Division
    https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rhinovirus/
    The rhinovirus is the most predominant cause of the common cold. […] The common cold is the main reason children miss school and adults miss work. […] To reduce the risk of spreading and getting infected with the rhinovirus, wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing (cough into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve), and disinfect objects and surfaces regularly. […] There is no vaccine for the rhinovirus.
  • #2 Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3928210/
    The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract involving the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. The virus is spread by hand contact with secretions from an infected person (direct or indirect) or aerosol of the secretions and virus. Symptoms, which generally relate to the infected mucosa, typically peak at 13 days and last 710 days, although they occasionally persist for three weeks. Stress and poor sleep may increase the risk of the common cold among adults, whereas attendance at a daycare centre increases the risk among preschool children. […] We review the evidence underpinning preventive and treatment interventions for the common cold. […] Preventive therapies are summarized in Table 1. Physical intervention (e.g., handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand disinfectant, gloves, masks) has a systematic review of 67 studies suggesting general reduced risk with handwashing, hand disinfectant, gloves and masks. Zinc appears to be effective in reducing the number of colds per year, at least in children. Probiotics may be helpful in preventing upper respiratory tract infections, but the interventions and evidence are inconsistent. Frequent gargling with water may help reduce episodes of upper respiratory tract infection, but evidence is limited to a single study. […] The best evidence for the prevention of the common cold supports physical interventions (e.g., handwashing) and possibly the use of zinc supplements.
  • #2 Common cold – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
    There’s no vaccine for the common cold. You can take these steps to slow the spread of the virus and prevent illness: […] Wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Teach your children the importance of hand-washing. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. […] Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often. These include doorknobs, light switches, electronics, and kitchen and bathroom countertops. This is especially important when someone in your family has a cold. Wash children’s toys often. […] Sneeze and cough into tissues. Throw away used tissues right away, and then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow, and then wash your hands.
  • #2 Cold & Flu Prevention | Student Affairs Student Health Service | University of Miami
    https://studenthealth.studentaffairs.miami.edu/health-education/health-topics/cold-and-flu/index.html
    The common cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. However, they can have similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to tell them apart. […] You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold: […] Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Viruses that cause colds can live on your hands, and regular handwashing can help protect you from getting sick. […] Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses that cause colds can enter your body this way and make you sick. […] Stay away from people who are sick. Sick people can spread viruses that cause the common cold through close contact with others.
  • #2 Common cold
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
    Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. […] To reduce the risk of spreading a cold: wash your hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, bin used tissues as quickly as possible. […] A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished. […] The best ways to avoid catching a cold are: washing your hands with warm water and soap, not sharing towels or household items (like cups or children’s toys) with someone who has a cold, not touching your eyes or nose in case you’ve come into contact with the virus, staying fit and healthy. […] The flu vaccine does not prevent colds.
  • #2 Common Cold Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention │ Vicks
    https://vicks.com/en-us/symptom/cold
    How to Prevent Getting or Spreading a Cold Virus […] You can protect yourself from getting the common cold by following these CDC guidelines to help you reduce your risk of getting a cold: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Keep your distance from people who are sick. […] To protect others around you from getting the common cold, you should follow these CDC tips for cold prevention: Stay at home while you are sick and keep children home. Don’t make close contact with other people avoid hugging, kissing, or shaking hands. Before you cough or sneeze, make sure that you are a safe distance away from people. Cough and sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away, or cough and sneeze into your upper shirt sleeve while completely covering your mouth and nose. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, including toys and doorknobs.
  • #2 Common Cold: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Care | Banner
    https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/infectious-disease/treatment/common-cold
    Practicing good hygiene and avoiding exposure to known sources of infection can help protect you and make it less likely you will get sick. […] Here are some effective strategies to prevent getting colds: […] Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Make sure to wash for at least 20 seconds. Hand washing is especially important after being in public places, touching surfaces or being near someone who is sick. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. […] Try to avoid close contact with people who have colds. This includes keeping a safe distance and avoiding physical contact such as handshakes and hugs. […] Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others. […] Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, keyboards and phones to prevent the spread of viruses through touch.
  • #2 Common Cold: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Care | Banner
    https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/infectious-disease/treatment/common-cold
    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, as this is a common way for viruses to enter your body. […] When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue or the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose. Throw away tissues immediately and wash your hands to prevent spreading the virus to others.
  • #2 Cold and flu prevention: 10 tips to avoid getting sick
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cold-flu-prevention
    Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for supporting the immune system and overall health. […] Several proactive steps can reduce the chances of getting a cold or the flu, such as following a balanced and nutritious diet, maintaining personal hygiene, and more. […] By incorporating these habits into their lifestyle, people can bolster their immune systems and reduce the likelihood of getting sick. […] Vitamins and supplements can play a role in supporting the immune system, such as: […] Exercise improves blood circulation, allowing immune cells to move more effectively throughout the body. This can enhance the immune systems ability to detect and fight infections. […] During sleep, the body releases cytokines, which are proteins that help regulate immune responses. Adequate sleep enhances the production of these cytokines, promoting a balanced immune system.
  • #2 Treatment of the Common Cold in Children and Adults | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0715/p153.html
    Nasal irrigation with saline as a preventive measure in children is better than standard treatment for multiple cold symptoms. […] The prophylactic use of vitamin C does not reduce the incidence of colds, but decreases illness duration by 8 percent. […] Frequent hand washing can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses in all ages and can reduce transmission from children to other household members.
  • #2 Common Cold | Cochrane Complementary Medicine
    https://cam.cochrane.org/common-cold
    Preparations made up of alcoholic extracts of Echinacea or pressed juice from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea might have beneficial effects on cold symptoms (including runny nose) in adults if treatment is started early. […] Two trials (three comparisons) investigated whether taking Echinacea preparations for 8 to 12 weeks prevented colds but found no clear effect compared with placebo. […] Taking vitamin C supplementation did not reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population, indicating that routine mega-doses are not rationally justified for community use. […] Evidence shows that vitamin C could be justified for people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise or cold environments and could halve the risk of getting a cold. […] Thirty trial comparisons involving 11,350 study participants contributed to the data on the relative risk of developing a cold while taking vitamin C or a non-active placebo for two weeks to six months. The risk of a cold was not different with vitamin C or placebo.
  • #2 Flu (Influenza): Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4335-influenza-flu
    The best way to reduce your risk is to get the flu vaccine yearly. You can get it as a shot or a mist sprayed into your nose. The influenza virus can change (mutate) over time, so you need to get vaccinated every year. […] Other ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu include: Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you cant use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue rather than your bare hand. Avoid being around other people when you or they are sick with the flu or other infectious diseases. Consider wearing a mask if youre sick and cant avoid being around others. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth. Dont share food or eating utensils (forks, spoons, cups) with others.
  • #2 Cold and Flu Prevention | Theraflu
    https://www.theraflu.com/treating-cold-flu/cold-flu-prevention/
    Avoiding colds and flu entirely isnt always possible, and cases of both viruses are reported all year round. […] The good news is that there are many small changes you can make to aid cold and flu prevention. […] One of the most effective ways you can help protect yourself against getting sick, the flu vaccination reduces your risk of getting flu by between 40 and 60 percent on average. […] Its especially important that people who have a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications get their flu shot. […] To remove potential pathogens or viruses on your hands, wash them with soap for a full 20 seconds […] Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces at home when a family member is sick will help prevent the spread of colds and flu by removing germs from any contaminated surfaces.
  • #2 Prevention Tips for the Common Cold – Health Partnership Clinic
    https://hpcks.org/prevention-tips-for-the-common-cold/
    The common cold is the main reason that kids miss school and adults miss work. […] Here are a few tips to keep your kids healthy during the cold season: […] Cold Prevention Tips Have your kids wash their hands frequently, at home and at school. […] Disinfect your stuff. Clean your kitchen and bathroom countertops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold. […] Get active! Kids should get regular, moderate exercise to help boost their immune systems. […] Get plenty of sleep. Children need between nine and 14 hours of sleep a day, depending on their age. […] Eat a well-balanced diet. Provide meals for your children that include plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables to help boost their immune system. […] Decrease stress. Give kids plenty of down time for rest and creative play to help lower their stress levels and keep them from getting sick. […] Avoid sharing items that pass germs. Teach your children to never share straws, cups, hats, scarfs or anything that comes in to contact with their mouth and faces.
  • #2 A Common-Sense Guide to the Common Cold for Older Adults
    https://www.ncoa.org/article/a-common-sense-guide-to-the-common-cold-for-older-adults/
    Keep your distance from or limit your contact with people who are ill. […] Avoid large crowds of people, especially indoors in poorly ventilated spaces. […] Ensure you’re getting enough protein in your diet, since lack of protein can hinder your immune system. Great protein sources include eggs, lean meats, legumes, and dairy products. […] Make an effort to stay hydrated every day, since being well-hydrated helps us fight off germs and viruses. […] It’s also a good idea to incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Even moderate physical activity can help give your immune system a boost. […] Getting a cold is not 100% preventable. But by taking some basic precautions, you can increase your chances of staying healthy and happy all winter long.
  • #2 Common Cold: Symptoms, How to Treat, and More
    https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/cold
    Washing your hands protects you, but it also protects others. […] While youre sick or your child is sick, stay home if possible. […] If you feel a sneeze or cough coming on, grab a tissue to cover it. […] Pick up a container of disinfecting wipes and give all high touch surfaces, like doorknobs, kitchen counters, appliances, and remotes, a quick cleaning if you or someone in your home is sick.
  • #2 The Common Cold: Potential for Future Prevention or Cure
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7088639/
    Despite the ongoing efforts there are no licensed vaccines for parainfluenza. HPIV3 cp45 is being evaluated in clinical trials. […] Several approaches have been used to develop vaccines against RSV but currently no vaccines have been approved for use in humans. […] As RV is the most common culprit, vaccine development is of great interest. An obstacle to overcome is the more than 100 different serotypes and the high-mutation rate during viral replication. […] A rational approach to tackle with common cold is the development of anti-viral agents. However, the diverse etiology makes the development of a uniform anti-viral drug unlikely.
  • #2 Preventing and treating colds: The evidence and the anecdotes – Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/preventing-and-treating-colds-the-evidence-and-the-anecdotes-2017011210972
    There are several basic and effective methods that can help you avoid colds altogether. […] Stay home when you’re sick (and keep your kids home when they’re sick, too). […] Wash, wash, wash your hands. […] Don’t touch your face. […] If everyone did these three things, I have no doubt that multiple hours of misery could be avoided and billions of dollars could be saved. […] There have been multiple variable-quality studies of all sorts of other potential preventives. Looking the available data, there is weak evidence to support regular probiotics and zinc, but really no consistent evidence to support the use of vitamins C and D, echinacea, and ginseng. […] In the end, prevention is king, and the treatments for colds are basic.
  • #3 Common Cold Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention │ Vicks
    https://vicks.com/en-us/symptom/cold
    How to Prevent Getting or Spreading a Cold Virus […] You can protect yourself from getting the common cold by following these CDC guidelines to help you reduce your risk of getting a cold: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Keep your distance from people who are sick. […] To protect others around you from getting the common cold, you should follow these CDC tips for cold prevention: Stay at home while you are sick and keep children home. Don’t make close contact with other people avoid hugging, kissing, or shaking hands. Before you cough or sneeze, make sure that you are a safe distance away from people. Cough and sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away, or cough and sneeze into your upper shirt sleeve while completely covering your mouth and nose. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, including toys and doorknobs.
  • #3 Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3928210/
    The common cold is an acute, self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract involving the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. The virus is spread by hand contact with secretions from an infected person (direct or indirect) or aerosol of the secretions and virus. Symptoms, which generally relate to the infected mucosa, typically peak at 13 days and last 710 days, although they occasionally persist for three weeks. Stress and poor sleep may increase the risk of the common cold among adults, whereas attendance at a daycare centre increases the risk among preschool children. […] We review the evidence underpinning preventive and treatment interventions for the common cold. […] Preventive therapies are summarized in Table 1. Physical intervention (e.g., handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand disinfectant, gloves, masks) has a systematic review of 67 studies suggesting general reduced risk with handwashing, hand disinfectant, gloves and masks. Zinc appears to be effective in reducing the number of colds per year, at least in children. Probiotics may be helpful in preventing upper respiratory tract infections, but the interventions and evidence are inconsistent. Frequent gargling with water may help reduce episodes of upper respiratory tract infection, but evidence is limited to a single study. […] The best evidence for the prevention of the common cold supports physical interventions (e.g., handwashing) and possibly the use of zinc supplements.
  • #3 Stages of the Common Cold | Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention | CHRISTUS Health
    https://www.christushealth.org/connect/your-health/infectious-diseases/stages-of-the-common-cold
    The best way to prevent yourself from getting a cold is by washing your hands frequently and staying hydrated. This helps keep germs away and prevent them from being passed on to others. […] There are a variety of activities that can help to prevent the common cold. Some of the most effective include getting adequate rest and sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and minimizing stress levels. […] For instance, regular physical activity is important for strengthening the immune system and protecting against cold viruses. Exercise helps to boost the body’s production of antibodies, which are necessary for fighting off infections. […] Avoidance is often the best medicine. If you have kids with a cold, this is often not an option for you. However, you can make an effort to avoid friends, co-workers, or relatives with colds or other infectious illnesses. […] Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds helps to remove germs and other contaminants that can cause colds. […] It’s also important to keep surfaces clean by regularly disinfecting them. Following these preventive steps can reduce your risk of contracting the common cold.
  • #3 Common cold – UF Health
    https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/common-cold
    Breastfeed infants if possible. Breast milk is known to protect against respiratory tract infections in children, even years after you stop breastfeeding. […] Drink plenty of fluids to help your immune system work properly. […] Eat yogurt that contains „active cultures.” These may help prevent colds. Probiotics may help prevent colds in children. […] Get enough sleep.