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How to Beat the Common Cold

The tell-tale signs of the common cold are easy to spot---runny nose, sneezing, headache and a sore throat---and few of us are immune. Perhaps the most common illness we know, the cold hits millions of people annually in the United States, accounting for a reported 1 billion bouts of illness per year. Although there is no known cure for the viruses, there are reliable prevention and treatment strategies you can use to beat the common cold.

Things You'll Need

  • Soap and water or hand sanitizer
  • Virus-killing disinfectant
  • Liquids
  • Nonprescription cold medicines
  • Warm salt water
  • Throat spray or lozenges
  • Vitamin C
  • Echinacea
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Instructions

  1. Prevention

    • 1

      Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom and before meals. Be sure to wash your hands even more frequently during cold season or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

    • 2

      Clean surfaces in your home or workplace using a disinfectant with the power to kill viruses. Air-borne viruses can live on skin and inanimate objects for 3 hours.

    • 3

      Avoid touching your eyes with your hands---a common way of transmitting the cold viruses---and avoid people with colds if possible. Meanwhile, prevent spread of colds by covering your mouth with the crook of your elbow whenever you sneeze or cough.

    Treatment

    • 4

      Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids (water, juice, tea and soups are best), and avoid going to work or school. Rest will allow the body the time it needs to repair itself, and the liquids will help flush out the cold-causing viruses.

    • 5

      Take over-the-counter cold medicines as needed. Cough suppressants can help keep troublesome coughs at bay, and decongestant pills and sprays can help unclog a stuffy nose. Many cold medications contain the common pain reliever acetaminophen, which can relieve the aches, pains and fever associated with the common cold.

    • 6

      Gargle with warm salt water to help soothe a sore or scratchy throat, or try a nonprescription throat spray or lozenges.

    • 7

      Get your daily dose of vitamin C to help beat the common cold, whether through a supplement, juice or a vitamin C-filled orange. Vitamin C may reduce the duration and severity of a cold. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website, research has also found echinacea may help ease symptoms of the common cold if taken during early stages; thus, an echinacea supplement or tea during this time may provide additional relief.

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