We all recognize the telltale signs that a cold is coming on: sneezing, sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing. It is referred to as the common cold for good reason; it is the most commonly occurring illness. Most adults are likely to come down with a cold two to four times a year. Already this season, nearly 30.2 million U.S. adults have reported experiencing troublesome cold and flu symptoms, with cough being the most prevalent symptom, reported by 31 million. In the course of a year, Americans will "catch" about 1 billion colds, according to the National Institutes of Health. And one of the reasons for this is that colds are so easily transmitted from person to person.
You can get a cold simply by touching your eyes or nose after you shake hands with someone who has a cold, wipe a child's runny nose, or even touch surfaces that have cold germs on them. You can also inhale airborne germs when someone coughs or sneezes near you.
Did you know that a cough leaves the body at 100 miles per hour? That's nearly twice as fast as a cheetah and more than four times quicker than the fastest runner in the world. Hardly leaves time enough for you to get away. So what are we to do?
Washing your hands often and avoiding contact with people who have a cold are the best strategies.
There is no cure for the common cold; it simply has to run its course. Symptoms usually begin two or three days after infection and can last two to 14 days. Often the final, lingering symptom is a dry, nagging cough. You can get relief by:
Are coughs and colds running hot in your neighborhood?
COUGHCAST, a new online tool from the makers of Robitussin allows you to track cough activity in your local area. Explore the interactive map by visiting http://www.robitussin.com/tools/coughcast.
This article is sponsored by Robitussin. HealthyWomen does not endorse any specific product, treatment or service. This information should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, you should contact your health care provider.