And some of those viruses can be quite potent. Some viruses, such as the rhinoviruses, seldom produce serious illness. But others, such as parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus, can lead to severe lower respiratory infections in young children.
2. Frequent hand-washing can reduce your chances of getting a cold.
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Frequent, thorough washing kills or removes viruses you may have picked up on your hands.
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 days.
4. Wearing warm clothing, avoiding cold drafts, and not going outside with wet hair can keep you from catching a cold.
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Viruses cause colds.
5. Over-the-counter cold/cough medications can cure a cold.
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There is no cure for a cold, but these remedies can alleviate cold symptoms. These should not be given to children under 4 years old because the risk for side effects is greater than the severity of the cold they are treating. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about cold remedies.
6. Keeping your fingers out of your eyes and nose can help keep you from getting a cold.
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Your eyes and nose are the ways through which the cold viruses enter your system.
7. Chronic sleep deprivation may increase your chances of catching a cold.
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Adequate sleep improves your immune function.
8. Fever and headaches are common-cold symptoms.
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Fever and headache are rare with colds, particularly in adults, but common with the flu. A fever is more common in children with colds.
9. It's better to blow your nose with a tissue than with a handkerchief.
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A tissue is better, as long as you use the tissue only once.
10. 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.
11. Daily exercise can help prevent a cold.
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Several studies have shown people who get regular, moderate exercise catch half as many colds as sedentary people.
12. 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.
13. Most colds can be self-treated at home.
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You should see a doctor if if you have a temperature higher than 100.4 F (43.5 C) or if ear discomfort becomes severe; if you cough up thick, rusty, or green mucus; or if a child with a cold develops rapid or difficult breathing, starts wheezing, or acts irritable or lethargic. You should also see a doctor if symptoms last longer than 10 days.