How is the Common Cold Transmitted?

How is the common cold transmitted inside thethe viruses are carried into the home by family
nose?members who have been in contact with
The common cold is initially a viral infection of thesomeone who had a cold. Once the virus is in the
lining of the nose. Cilia, small hairs, inside of thehouse, it can spread easily among family
nose transmit the virus up and back into themembers. Hand washing and disinfectants may
region of the adenoids, sometimes causing coughreduce the spread, but it is hard to avoid
and sore throat. The common cold is one of thesomeone you live with. It has been said that
major reasons for doctor visits every year, butavoiding a remedy for common cold will decrease
doctors typically recommend an over the counterthe duration of symptoms, allowing the body to
remedy for common cold symptom relief.rid itself naturally of the virus. But, there is no
Symptoms typically last for about a week. Someevidence supporting this idea. Allowing sneezing
people recover more quickly. Others take longerand runny nose to continue increases the likelihood
to recover. Some preventatives, such as vitaminthat someone else will "catch the cold".
C supplements, are also recommended as aHow is the common cold transmitted in schools?
remedy for common cold symptoms, since someIt is believed that the large number of children in
studies have shown that they may reduce thethe classroom and the close contact among them
duration of symptoms in some people.increases the frequency of common colds. Some
How is the common cold transmitted from onefocus has been placed on educating children about
person to another?the importance of hand washing and some
Sneezing is the body's attempt to rid itself of theelementary schools request that parents provide
virus. When a person who has a cold sneezes, thetissue and waterless hand cleansers. These hand
discharge is full of live viruses and these virusescleansers may not kill the viruses, but the action
can live for as long as three hours on surfacesof hand washing rubs them off. Parents should
and skin. Since the viruses are microscopic anduse caution when choosing a remedy for
become airborne after a person who has a coldcommon cold symptoms for their children.
sneezes and to a lesser extent when they cough,Products containing aspirin have been linked to
you can inhale the viruses without realizing it. And,episodes of Reye's syndrome in children
if you touch the skin of a person who has a coldrecovering from a viral infection. A multi-symptom
or another surface that they have touched, thenremedy for common cold may contain aspirin.
the viruses can be transmitted to your own nose,Also, check the ingredients for alcohol and
if you touch your face. Hand washing kills theantihistamines which can cause drowsiness and
viruses, thus it is important to wash your handsallergic reactions.
often, particularly if you are around someone whoFor answers to other questions like how is the
is sick or if you work with the public.common cold transmitted and to learn about a
How is the common cold transmitted at home?natural product that may be an effective remedy
Some people believe that a heat pump or otherfor common cold symptoms, visit the Immune
forms of dry forced air heat increase the spreadSystem Booster Guide.
of common cold viruses, but it is more likely that