Preventing the Spread of the Common Cold: Cenla Health - Alexandria, Pineville, Louisiana

With a noted increase in the number of children presenting to the ER with cold and upper respiratory illnesses, some healthy habits for prevention recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention need to be adopted, including:

• Avoid close contact. When sick, one should keep their distance from others to help protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick, which may prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, discard the used tissues right away, and then wash hands thoroughly.Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue to prevent them from using their hands. It may prevent the spread of germs.
• Clean your hands. To help protect from germs, it's a good idea to wash hands frequently, especially before eating, after blowing the nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the bathroom. Use warm water and soap, and make sure to lather up for at least 20 seconds!
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Other recommended practices:

• Clean common areas. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in the family has a common cold.Wash children's toys after play.Because cold viruses can survive for hours outside the body, cleaning surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant (such as a one part household bleach to nine parts water solution) might help prevent spread of infection.
• Be germ conscious. Don't share towels, lipstick, toys, food, eating utensils, drinking glasses, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs.
• Choose childcare centers wisely. It is advisable to seek a childcare setting with sound hygiene practices and clear policies about keeping sick children at home.
• Get Plenty of Rest. The body uses times of rest and relaxation to identify and destroy harmful germs.
• Get Fresh Air and Exercise and Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. The vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables can help the body's immune system against invaders.
• Consider the alternatives. The latest research shows that moderate doses of vitamin C can shorten the duration of a cold and that zinc nasal sprays or lozenges taken at the beginning of a cold may help reduce symptoms.

Dr. Jeffrey Tanita, M.D., is a Family Practitioner and also works in the Emergency Department at Hardtner Medical Center (HMC) in Olla, LA. 

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