The common cold is something we all have to deal with, especially those of us with children. It can slow you down when you least expect it, and can really affect our day-to-day lives if we don't manage it correctly. Colds, like many illnesses, are caused by germs. And the best way to avoid them is to take preventative steps. Here are some great ways to help keep the cold away this year:
* The best way to combat cold and flu season is to avoid exposure where you can and to kill germs where you cannot.
* Begin by avoiding obviously sick people and the things that they touch. Teach your children to not to share food, for example.
* Next, be aware of what you touch. Try not to touch your face with your hands since the eyes, nose, and mouth are the areas of your body that are most vulnerable to infection. Your hands are one of the most active parts of your body when it comes to germs.
* Wash your hands regularly and correctly with hot water and soap. Scrub for fifteen to twenty seconds when you do so. You can also opt to use a hand sanitizer with an alcohol base, but an antibiotic hand sanitizer will not help to combat colds.
* Similarly, you should make sure that high traffic surfaces in the home are cleaned frequently and thoroughly with alcohol or bleach.
* Finally, if you feel a cough or a sneeze coming on, try to catch it in a tissue so as to protect the people around you. If you cannot then cover your mouth and nose using your elbows and not your hands. This will keep you from spread germs from your mouth or nose to your hands and then to whatever you touch next.
