How to Avoid a Cold

The common cold is caused by one of more than 200 viruses. Symptoms can include a fever, watery eyes, a runny nose, a sore throat and a cough. Enhancing your body's immune system will help you avoid catching a cold.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Antibacterial Soaps
• Echinacea
• Travel-size Soap And Wipes
• Vitamin C
• Exercise Equipments

1. Wash your hands often. Cold viruses can be transmitted by handshakes and by touching contaminated objects such as doorknobs.
2. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Avoid people who are coughing and/or sneezing.
4. Get plenty of rest to help strengthen your immune system.
5. Maintain a healthy diet and get an adequate amount of exercise.
6. Drink plenty of fluids.
7. Consider taking one 500mg tablet of vitamin C twice a day. Some scientists believe this can help boost your immune system, although there is no hard data to support this.

Tips & Warnings

• Some studies have shown that the herbal supplement echinacea may be effective at fighting cold symptoms when taken during the first few days of illness'but not prior to exposure. However, there is no scientific data that supports the effectiveness of echinacea.
• You may be more susceptible to colds when you are under stress, during your menstrual period, or as you get older these are times when your immune system is weakened.