How to Stop the Spread of a Cold

As its name implies, the common cold is the most common illness affecting humans and is single biggest reason for people to visit a doctor. The cold virus is mostly spread through contact with droplets of nasal secretions that are highly concentrated with the virus and become air-borne when a person with a cold sneezes or coughs. Also known as adenovirus infection AD14, the common cold -- despite being highly contagious -- is preventable through certain natural, common sense strategies.

Things You'll Need

• soap
• water
• tissues
• sauna
• probiotic yogurt
• vegetables and fruit

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands, hand towels and face cloths, and disinfect your toothbrush and contact lenses. Thanks to public health campaigns, proper hand washing technique is a well-known cold prevention tactic that most children are taught in nursery school -- a prime breeding ground for viruses. Sanitize all items that come in direct contact with the permeable mucus membranes of your nose, mouth and eyes. Viruses can live on the moist surface of clothes and toothbrushes, leaving opportunity to spread or even re-infect someone once they have recovered from a cold.

• 2

  Stay hydrated on the inside and out. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day to flush out toxins and keep your immune system strong. You can also sweat toxins out in a sauna or at the gym. According to WebMD, a 1989 German study showed that frequent sauna sessions decreased cold frequency by half. Getting regular exercise also boosts the immune system and rids the body of impurities through sweat.

• 3

  Load up on vegetables and fruit. Plant foods are high in phytochemicals such as bioflavonoids that are potent antioxidants. These plant chemicals boost the activity of other antioxidants, such as vitamin C. Aim for eight to 10 servings of dark green and orange vegetables and fruits per day.

• 4

  Increase probiotic intake by eating more yogurt. After the nasal membranes, the digestive tract is often the site of first contact for a virus looking to infect a host. Probiotics boost the digestive tract's natural defense mechanisms against unwanted pathogens by encouraging elimination of toxins and overwhelming viral nesting grounds with good bacteria. Be sure to choose a brand that is low in sugar, since sugar depletes the immune system.

• 5

  Avoid direct contact with people suffering from a cold. Do not shake hands, hugg, or kiss a person who is ill with a cold. Keep your distance and use other gestures to greet people or to show affection and appreciation.