How To Prevent Common Colds

AOL Health says Cure for Common Cold May Be Close. “Obviously this is of great interest to anyone who suffers from the common cold, which is pretty much everyone,” Dr. Cliff Bassett, the medical director of Allergy & Asthma Care of New York, told AOL Health. “If this can be done safely and cost-effectively, they’ve got a home run. But it remains to be seen.”  In the meantime, here are Dr Clifford Bassett’s recommendations to avoid catching a cold…

Tip number 1 – Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least as long as it takes to sing “happy birthday”. And don’t skip any verses.

Tip number 2 – Use alcohol based liquid hand sanitizers (at least concentration of 60%) when soap and water is not available.

Tip number 3 – Get shot! Oh, that means receive your flu vaccine (now includes H1N1 as well), check with your health care provider if you have any questions about receiving the vaccine or if you had a history of any previous reaction to flu vaccine.

Tip number 4 – Stay home if you are ill, do not spread those viral droplets to all, on buses, trains, and in common work and school spaces. Use appropriate disinfectant wipes on hard surfaces, to try and reduce living cold virus particles.

Tip number 5 – Get a little extra sleep during the cold and flu season for optimal immune system responses.