The common cold generally involves a runny nose and sneezing.You may also have a sore throat,cough,headache,or other symptoms.
We call it the “common cold” for good reasons.There are over one billion colds in the United States each year.You and your children will probably have more colds than any other type of illness.Children average three to eight colds per year.Parents often get them from the kids.Colds are the most common reasons that children miss school and parents miss work.
Children usually get colds from other children.When a new strain is introduced into a school or day care,it quickly travels through the class.It might seem overwhelming to try to prevent colds among children,but you can do it.Here are several proven ways to prevent colds:
● Always wash your hands:Children and adults should wash hands at key moments —after nose-wiping,after diapering or toileting,before eating,and before preparing food.
● Use paper towels instead of shared cloth towels.
● Avoid secondhand smoke:Keep as far away from secondhand smoke as possible.It is responsible for many health problems,including millions of colds.
● Avoid unnecessary antibiotics (抗生素):The more people use antibiotics,the more likely they are to get sick with longer,more stubborn infections (感染) caused by more resistant organisms (有机体) in the future.
● Drink water:Your body needs fluids for the immune system to function properly.
● Eat yogurt:The beneficial bacteria in some active yogurt cultures help prevent colds