What should and shouldn't you do when you have a cold?

Wash your hands regularly with soap, clean surfaces in your home, and keep your distance from sick people to reduce the risk of catching a cold.

The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection that affects the nose and throat. Common symptoms include coughing, sneezing, changes in the color of phlegm, rash, and ear and throat pain.

Viral diseases are caused by about 200 different viruses. Rhinovirus is the most common cause. Viruses can be transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with surfaces containing virus-infected secretions.

Germs spread more easily in small, confined spaces. If someone in the house has a cold, other members of the family are more likely to get sick. Here are some ways to help protect your family from getting sick.

Should do

Washing your hands often is the best way to prevent colds. Family members are more likely to touch germs that cling to objects in the house. Germs on your hands can easily enter your body if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Wash your hands before eating, after using the toilet, changing diapers, or washing clothes for a sick person. Wash your hands before and after caring for someone with a cold. Use hand sanitizer or antiseptic to clean your hands better.

Washing hands helps remove bacteria and prevent colds. Photo: Anh Chi — Washing hands helps remove bacteria and prevent colds. Photo: *Anh Chi*

Clean surfaces: To prevent the spread of germs, people should regularly clean and disinfect surfaces such as tables, chairs, refrigerator handles, doorknobs, TV remotes, and faucets.

Devices such as televisions, computers, laptops and phones are also likely to harbor bacteria and need to be cleaned every 24 hours. When children have a cold, parents should clean and disinfect their toys regularly.

Use disposable items: Cold-causing germs can cling to fabrics such as tablecloths, towels, or hand towels. Sick people should use tissues to wipe their hands, face, and nose, and throw them away immediately after use. Even dishes and chopsticks should be wiped with temporary paper towels during this time. Use disposable paper cups instead of toothbrushes and drinking glasses.

Stay away from sick people for 3-5 days or until symptoms have completely cleared to make sure germs don't spread through contact.

If possible, the patient should stay in a separate room for activities and sleep. Prepare some necessary items such as tissues, trash can, medicine, and water bottle in the room.

Boost the immune system of the patient and their loved ones with lots of fruits and vegetables. Prioritize foods rich in vitamin A (sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach), vitamin C (citrus fruits) and vitamin E (almonds, sunflower seeds).

Lean protein (seafood, eggs, beans) also helps strengthen the body's defenses, protecting against disease. Rest and regular exercise help strengthen resistance.

Don't do

Family members should not share food, drinks, cups, towels, or washcloths with the sick person. Keep the sick person's toothbrush separate from the toothbrushes of other people in the house. Do not let the sick person continue to use the toothbrush after he or she has recovered.

Do not let healthy children share toys, avoid bad habits such as nail biting, eye rubbing or pencil chewing because they create conditions for germs to easily enter the body.

Everyone should get a flu shot regularly. It usually takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective.

Anh Chi (According to WebMD )

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