Want to prevent a cold? Wash those hands

Got the sniffles? Feeling congested? Well, there are several ways to get some relief from the common cold and to avoid getting one in the first place.

The common cold, according to WebMD, is a group of symptoms in the upper respiratory tract caused by any of a number of different viruses that can enter the body through the nose and the mouth. Cold viruses are easily spread when you touch someone or something, such as a doorknob or a keyboard, that has been infected with the virus.

The first signs of a cold can vary but usually include sneezing, a scratchy throat, a runny nose or a stuffed-up nose. According to WebMD, colds come on gradually and last about a week.

Megan Doughty, a pharmacist at USave Pharmacy in Grand Island, said there are a variety of over-the-counter medications to treat the symptoms of a cold.

For someone who has a runny nose or watery eyes, there are medications with an antihistamine. Those with congested nasal passages need a decongestant and people with mucus in their chest should go with an expectorant such as Mucinex. Cough drops are also good for people who have sore, itchy throats, she said.

There are medications available that can treat one or all of these symptoms.

In the last month, Doughty said, there have been a lot of colds going around and customers at the pharmecy have complained of sore throats and congestion.

The No. 1 preventive measure when it comes to avoiding a cold is hand washing. Doughty said antibacterial gels are also good for killing cold germs.

Covering your mouth when you cough or your nose when you sneeze also helps prevent the spread of viruses, she said.

Taking Vitamin C and zinc supplements hasn't been proven as a way to prevent colds, but it doesn't hurt either, she said.

Cold symptoms are often confused with flu symptoms. The flu usually hangs around for two to five days and includes a sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and congestion. Influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Complications from colds are relatively minor, but a severe case of flu can be life-threatening, according to WebMD.

Doughty said she hasn't seen many flu cases this year, but hand-washing is also a good way to prevent the spread of flu viruses.

Judy Ruzicka, co-owner of Natural Food Products in Grand Island, said there are a number of homeopathic ways to treat cold symptoms as well.

Vitamin C and immune booster supplements can help target symptoms and organic fruit juices can also boost the immune system, Ruzicka said. Aronia berry juice has a high orac value, which can help kill free radicals that collect in the body. The darker the juice, the higher orac value it contains, she said.

For people with sinus problems, Ruzicka suggests the Neti pot to naturally cleanse the sinuses and help with decongestion. The pots are to be used with warm purified water that can be combined with sea salt or oregano oil to help kill bacteria and viruses, she said.

Xylitol natural sugar comes in a nasal spray and Colloidol silver, which comes in a spray as well, and can be used to help kill germs. Both are natural alternatives to over-the-counter medications, Ruzicka said.

"Of course, there are the old standbys of washing your hands and staying away from places where people are sick," she said.