And some of those viruses can be quite potent. The rhinovirus, which is the most common,
seldom causes serious illness. But others, such as parainfluenza and RSV (respiratory
syncytial virus), can lead to severe lung infections in young children.
2. Frequent handwashing may reduce your chances of getting a cold.
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Washing your hands with soap and water kills or removes viruses you may have picked
up on your hands. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60% alcohol.
3. Frequently cleaning telephones, countertops, and faucets in your home when a family
member has a cold can help keep the illness from spreading.
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Cold viruses can survive on hard surfaces for several hours. But cleaning these areas
often can cut down on their number.
4. Wearing warm clothing, staying out of cold drafts, and not going outside with wet
hair can keep you from catching a cold.
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These beliefs about catching a cold are not true. Viruses cause colds.
5. Over-the-counter cold/cough medicines can cure a cold.
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There is no cure for a cold, but these remedies can ease cold symptoms. These should
not be given to children because the risk for side effects is greater than the severity
of the cold they are treating. Talk with your healthcare provider before using cold
remedies.
6. Keeping your fingers out of your eyes, nose, and mouth can help keep you from getting
a cold.
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Your eyes, nose, and mouth are common ways the cold viruses enter your system.
7. It's better to cough or sneeze into a tissue than into your hands.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when your cough or sneeze and throw the dirty
tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not
your hands. Wash your hands after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.
8. Drinking lots of liquids can help you recover from a cold.
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Fluids help keep mucus more liquid and help prevent ear infections, bronchitis, and
other complications.
9. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can make you feel worse when you have a
cold.
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Alcohol swells nasal passages, and smoke irritates them.
10. Most colds can be self-treated at home.
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You should see a healthcare provider if you have severe or abnormal symptoms, if symptoms
last longer than 10 days, or if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has
a fever or is lethargic.
11. Antibiotics can cure the common cold.
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Antibiotics treat bacteria but have no effect on viruses.
