Fight the Common Cold!

College students are often caught up with busy schedules – filled with classes, papers, exams, and work. As a result, their health is often last on their list of priorities. In the season where colds and the flu are most prominent, it is very important that students take care of themselves to prevent colds and other sicknesses.

The common cold is known as the most prominent illness in human beings. Common symptoms of the cold that interfere with a student's life include a sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. These symptoms easily spread from person to person. The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the virus after another person's sneeze or cough.

Person-to-person transmission occurs primarily when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can become infected after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes or nose.

Although it is impossible to prevent the spread of colds completely, there are many initiatives one can take to reduce the chances of becoming infected with a virus that causes colds. The most single preventative measure for colds is hand washing. This is extremely important, especially after spending time in public places such as going to the gym, shopping, or using public transportation. 

People should always remember to avoid touching their faces -- especially the nose, mouth, and eye areas -- because these areas are more sensitive to germs that can cause sicknesses. If someone in the household is sick, it is important to keep household surfaces clean, including door knobs, keyboards, light switches, remote controls, and telephones. Viruses tend to stay on surfaces for hours after contact with the infected person. Germs can also live for hours on cloth towels, so it may be vital to use paper towels or use separate towels if there are infected people in the house. It is very important to also maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and exercise. These activities keep one's immune system in good condition and can fight infections if they occur. Managing stress is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that people experiencing emotional stress have weaker immune systems so there is a bigger chance of these individuals getting sick.