Wintertime is known as the cold season, and almost one billion colds occur each year – talk about the “common cold.” The cold virus typically affects young women and children the most. 

So what is a cold exactly, and why is it so tough to cure?

There are actually 100 viruses that can cause a cold, so that’s why researchers have not been able to develop an effective vaccine. These viruses are spread through coughing, sneezing or touching infected surfaces and then touching our faces.

When a person sneezes, he or she expels more than 40,000 tiny droplets that can contain the cold virus. A sneeze typically comes out of the body at about 95 to 100 miles per hour, which, as you can imagine, spreads germs everywhere. Now that we’ve established how easily cold viruses are spread, let’s talk prevention.

The number one preventative measure is washing your hands. Any surface you touch can contain the cold virus—some viruses can live on surfaces for hours at a time. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes, mouth or face, before eating, and after shaking hands with someone.

Keep your immune system in tip-top shape for fending off germs by getting at least eight hours of sleep per night, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Scientific evidence shows that foods like low-fat yogurt can decrease your chances of getting a cold.

If you’ve already caught the common cold? Soup can help! In fact, chicken soup has been proven to alleviate cold symptoms.

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t catch more colds because of cold weather. Rather, being inside more often in dry conditions can dry out our mucus membranes, leaving us more likely to get infected. Cold germs thrive in low humidity, so consider using a humidifier to keep your air balanced. Stick with these tips to prevent an unpleasant cold this season so you can focus on relaxation and time with loved ones. 

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