Fun Facts About Colds

The common cold – we’ve all suffered because of one. The symptoms – stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat – can be summed up in one word: miserable. Since they are so common, there seems to be nothing to learn about colds. But maybe there is! Check out the following facts to see if you discover something new about this pesky illness.

1. It is not feasible to develop a vaccine for the common cold.

The fact that there are literally hundreds of cold viruses makes it impossible to develop a “cold shot” like the flu shot. Unlike the flu, where health experts can forecast which virus to target each year, there are just too many cold viruses to tackle. Of course, we do not know for sure that there will never be a “cold shot” to help keep these viruses at bay, but one will not be available in the near future.

2. Antibiotics do not help fight off cold viruses.

Many people who suffer from a cold visit their doctor in hopes of getting an antibiotic. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. They kill bacteria; therefore, they are not effective in the fight against the common cold. In some cases, antibiotics may be harmful as they can kill beneficial bacteria in the body. Unless a cold moves from just making you miserable to an infection, ear, sinus, or otherwise, antibiotics will not help.

3. Children catch more colds than adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children catch 6 – 10 colds per year, while adults average 2 – 4. One reason for this is that with age, immune systems are better able to fight off colds. Also, children in school or other close settings are more likely to pass the viruses between them. The fact that children catch so many colds can affect school performance, as the CDC reports that 22 million school days are missed each year due to colds.

4. Being chilled or going outside in zero degree weather with a wet head will not make you “catch your death of cold.”

With all due respect to your grandmother and/or mother, you will not catch a cold from the simple act of feeling cold or exposing yourself to the cold. Colds are transmitted from one person to another through close contact. Basically, you can only come down with a cold if you have been exposed to one of the hundreds of cold viruses. Although it is not a good idea to trudge through the snow without a coat on (as you may succumb to hypothermia), you won’t catch a cold from doing so!

5. Cold viruses circulate all year long, not just during winter months.

Logic tells us that if we suffer from colds more in the fall and winter, it must follow that those viruses go dormant or die off in the spring and summer. This, however, is false. Cold viruses lurk all year long. The reason they seem to be more prevalent during cold months is that they spread more easily due to people, especially schoolchildren, being in close proximity.

Although common, colds can be prevented. The single best way to avoid catching a cold is to remember to wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. Also, strive to eat healthy foods and make sure to get enough sleep. Finally, new research shows that regular exercise boosts your immune system, so step up your work outs. These steps will help you to stay healthy and to avoid a 2 – 7 day miserable bout with the “sniffles.”

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