Final answer:
To avoid the common cold, practice frequent handwashing, avoid touching your face, and steer clear of public places when sick. Use personal items and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise, immunizations, and not smoking, also supports immune system function.
Step-by-step explanation:
How to Avoid the Common Cold
To prevent infection with the common cold, it is important to maintain good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. Washing your hands frequently is a crucial step, particularly after coughing, sneezing, or when in contact with public surfaces. Use soap and warm water, washing for at least 20 seconds, to eliminate viruses and bacteria. Moreover, it's essential not to touch your face, particularly the mouth, nose, or eyes, with unwashed hands since these are common entry points for pathogens.
When sick, avoid public places to prevent spreading the illness and cover your mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Properly dispose of used tissues and prioritize handwashing afterwards. Maintain your own set of personal items like toothbrushes and avoid sharing items that come into contact with your mouth. Additionally, following recommended vaccination schedules can protect against other respiratory illnesses that may complicate or resemble a cold, such as the flu.
Engaging in regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and staying informed about local disease outbreaks can further support your immune system. Nevertheless, if infected, rest and hydration are key, and remember that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as the common cold.