Did you know that there are more than 200 different viruses that cause the cold?
The common cold is the most frequent illness you’ll have during your lifetime. There are over 200 cold viruses and they can live for hours on your hands and hard surfaces. They are spread by droplets in the air, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or by self-inoculation when your contaminated hands make contact with your nose or eyes.
In the United States, cold season begins late August and lasts until April. According to the CDC, many adults will suffer from two or three colds each year and young children about six or seven. Over 425 million colds and flu occur every year in the US. This results in lost work and school days, and medical cost amounting to $2.5 billion.
Your best defense against the common cold is to practice prevention and keep your immune system in tip-top, battle-ready condition. Your immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect your body against infection. Overall, your immune system does a great job of defending you against infections. But sometimes it fails, and a virus will successfully invade your body and make you sick.
Common Cold Facts:
- More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, and infections can spread from person to person through the air and close personal contact.
- There’s a difference between the cold and the flu. Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu.
- There’s no cure for a cold. To feel better, you need a lot of rest and plenty of fluids.
- Antibiotics do not work against these viruses and do not help you feel better if you have a cold.
- Healthy-living strategies are a great way to start giving your immune system the upper hand. Mental stress, low food intake, rapid weight loss, lack of sleep and poor hygiene will affect your immune system and increased your risk of infection.
- Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. People who exercise on a regular basis report fewer colds than their inactive peers.
- To slow the spread of cold viruses, coughs, sneezes and nose-blows should be smothered with clean handkerchiefs, facial tissues or your bent arm.
Your immune system requires balance and harmony to function well. By keeping your immune system battle-ready, you’ll be more prepared to fight the cold viruses. Your best battle-ready strategy is to practice healthy lifestyle habits.
Medicinal discovery,
It moves in mighty leaps.
It leapt straight past the common cold
And gave it us for keeps.
Found value? Feel free to share!!
To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Promoting inner health & outer beauty!
Helping you thrive, not just survive!!
PS. Inner Health & Outer Beauty Store: Health & Wellness with Althea♦
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References:
The common Cold – CDC♦
How to boost your immune system – Harvard Health♦
