Stop the spread of colds
The common cold is the most frequent infection in all age groups in the United States. Colds are caused by any one of 200 viruses and has no cure. Children usually get six to ten colds a year. Adults get slightly fewer. You can get a cold anytime of the year, but more colds occur during the "cold season," which is late winter through early spring. During this time, people spend more time inside with some form of centralized heating on. Closer contact with others increases the risk of colds. Warm, dry air dries the nose and throat. Closer contacts along with dry nose and throat tissues create a perfect environment for viral infections.
Don't despair!!! You can lower your risk of getting a cold by taking some precautions.
· Eat well and get plenty of rest and exercise. Keep up your resistance to colds by taking good care of your health before the cold season begins.
· Use disposable tissues. Try to keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth. However, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue. Discard the tissues immediately. If you don't have tissues, sneeze into your shoulder to prevent spreading the virus by air. Other people are less likely to come into contact with your shoulder than with your hands.
· Wash your hands often. Colds are usually spread by physical contact. You should be careful about hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with infected people. Touching surfaces such as doorknobs and telephones that have cold viruses on them will transfer the germs to you. The number one way to prevent the spread of colds is to wash your hands often.
· Stop smoking. People who smoke and children who live with smokers are more likely to get colds because smoke can irritate your lungs and your nose.
· Breast feed your babies. Studies show that babies who are breast fed have fewer and milder colds.
With the holiday season upon you, don't let the "cold season" get the best of you. By just following a few precautions, your indoor fun will have less chance of being interrupted by the common cold.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/2/183268