Colds

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

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Each year approximately 9 of 10 people get at least one cold

Children:

• Contact pediatrician if child cries and/or screams a lot
• Don’t aspirin to children
  Aspirin cause Reye’s Syndrome

Prevention of common cold:

More common in fall and winter because people tend to gather inside more

• Use one hand (e.g. right) for handling items (e.g. door knobs, hand rails) and shaking hands, and, use other hand when need to touch your mouth, nose, eyes, etc. or cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing
• Wash your hands frequently, scrubbing all of hands (e.g., between fingers, under fingernails) with soap for at least 30 seconds and repeating, then use a paper towel to open the door out of a public restroom, especially after sneezing or coughing and before touching other people or items other people might touch
  Germs can stay alive on surfaces for almost a day
• Don’t share drinking containers and eating utensils
• Eat garlic
  Garlic may help avoid a cold
• Avoid public areas, especially when a lot of people have colds

Treatment of common cold:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Eat small quantities of food
• Consider taking a decongestant
  A decongestant will often make you more comfortable
• Consider using a humidifier while sleeping
• Consider using zinc lozenges
  Some believe they help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
• Avoid multi-symptom medications (just treat your most significant symptom)
  Multi-symptom medications may unnecessarily increase your risk of drowsiness, raised blood pressure, etc. and they cost more

To avoid spreading your cold to someone else:

• Wash your hands frequently, scrubbing all of hands (e.g., between fingers, under fingernails) with soap for at least 30 seconds and repeating, then use a paper towel to open the door out of a public restroom, especially after sneezing or coughing and before touching other people or items other people might touch
  Germs can stay alive on surfaces for almost a day
• Cough/sneeze into a disposable tissue (not a handkerchief) and discard immediately after one use
• Don’t share drinking containers and eating utensils
• Avoid public places, e.g., don’t go to work, school, etc. while you’re contagious

If you have a stuffy nose:

• Consider using a nasal decongestant spray (or a nasal decongestant, e.g., Sudafed)

If you have a runny nose:

• Consider not using any medication (just use tissues)

If symptoms persist:

• See a doctor

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