How to Prevent a Cold

Here are some tips on how to stop a cold before it starts:

SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Preventing a cold begins with your immune system. Drinking fluids, eating a balanced diet and snacking on yogurt may help your body prepare for and potentially even prevent a cold.

AVOID CONTACT

Common cold prevention is sometimes as simple as avoiding people who have a cold, especially during the first 2-3 days that symptoms like a sore throat appear.

WASH YOUR HANDS

A great way to help prevent a cold is to frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds (or hum “Happy Birthday” twice). By targeting how germs spread, you can reduce your chance of getting a cold by about 20%.

DON’T TOUCH YOUR EYES OR NOSE

Keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose to avoid spreading germs. A single gram of bacteria can contain 1 trillion germs.

LEARN MORE

Get information about how Vitamin C, meditation or exercise may help when avoiding a cold.