How to Catch a Cold: Fact vs. Fiction

We've all seen the commercials: swallow a spoonful of this, take two of these, inhale some of that, and presto, no more nasty cold! Well, not exactly. The cold, probably the most common illness known, has no safe or effective cure. This is because a cold is produced by any one of more than 200 different viruses, making it nearly impossible for scientists to find a single remedy. But how do you actually catch a cold? All cold viruses are spread through direct contact or by breathing in virus particles that are in the air. So, if you are standing next to someone on a bus who is sneezing and coughing, chances are you will get a cold. But research shows that going outside with wet hair, being chilled, or overheated will not make you catch cold.

Unfortunately, there is no way to escape the common cold. Adults suffer two to five colds per year, while children average four to eight. But there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick:

-Wash your hands. Because cold viruses are mainly passed through hand contact, washing up with soap will help reduce the spread of infection.
-Get rid of tissues. Used tissues carry germs and increase the possibility of your becoming infected, so toss them in the trash right after you use them.
-Clean with disinfectant wipes. In the office or at home, wipe down hard surfaces like telephones or doorknobs where viruses can live for up to three hours.
-Reduce your stress. Recent studies have shown that high levels of stress can lower your body's ability to fight off a cold.
-See your doctor. Ask what else you can do to increase your chances of staying healthy.