The Keys to a Cold-Free Winter

It's not called the common cold for nothing: This time of year, sniffles, sneezes, and coughs are positively ubiquitous. But before you give in and start stockpiling tissues and chicken soup, try a few simple tricks to help you and your family avoid those dreaded colds altogether.

Colds are spread by breathing in virus-containing droplets that an infected person has sneezed or coughed into the atmosphere, explains James Allen, M.D., vice president of science, technology and public health standards for the American Medical Association. So one sure way to get infected is if someone sneezes or coughs directly on you.

Unfortunately, you can catch a cold by handling something an infected person has touched and then rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth; in fact, most colds are caught this way. “Careful hand washing with antibacterial soap is important to avoid picking up the virus on your hands,” advises Dr. Allen. Insist that cold sufferers in your house wash their hands frequently--especially before contact with food or other people.

As for going out without getting bundled up, breathing in cold air can lead to a chilled respiratory tract, and thus less resistance to cold-containing germs. One other old wives' tale also contains a germ of truth. “If you're tired or depressed, your resistance might be down,” Dr. Allen says.

DID YOU KNOW The Best Way to Fight a Cold is with fire? Hot, pungent foods such as chili peppers, curry, and horseradish may be just as effective as over-the-counter remedies in combating cold symptoms like sinus and chest congestion, according to Jean Carper, author of Food-- Your Miracle Medicine (Harper Collins 1993). Because they contain “mucokinetic,” or mucus-moving agents. Fiery foods work by releasing waves of watery fluids, which thin out and move the lung's secretions away from air passages. So next time you feel a cold coming on, skip the decongestants and swallow some salsa instead.

(Source: New Ways to Health and Fitness, Winter '93).