Most of us suffer from one to three colds a year. I am one of the lucky ones; I haven’t had a cold in more than 15 years! I think it’s genetics, but I try to help lucky genes along with good habits.
The common cold is, yeah, really common and caused by viruses. But why do we get them in the winter months? Cold weather doesn’t cause a cold, but trying to stay warm standing in the close proximity to other people who may be sick, now that’s a horse of a different color. So, every time I spy someone coughing and sneezing down the soup aisle in the grocery store, I turn on my heels and head for the fresh veggie counter. But who’s to say that moments ago someone didn’t expel an uncovered sneeze near the yellow squash bin?
Which brings me to a disarming fact: molecules spread by a cough or a sneeze can hang in the air for up to 36 hours. 36 hours, oh my. But most colds are transmitted from your hands; shaking hands with an infected person, or touching a doorknob or grocery cart harboring viruses then touching your mouth, nose or eyes—that’ll do it.
Reduce Your Risk
Use sanitizing wipes at the grocery stores or any other busy shopping area that offers them. Wipe your hands and basket liberally. Bring your own container of liquid sanitizer (containing at least 60 percent alcohol) for those businesses without a dispenser.
■ All Washed up.
Wash your hands—for at least 20 seconds—many times with soap and water. I wash my hands at least five times a day and use alcohol wipes in between.
■ The Unwashed.
Avoid touching your nose and mouth, even your eyes, with unwashed hands.
■ Germ City.
To escape nasty germs, avoid contact with anyone who is sick, especially in the first few days of the onset of a cold when they are most contagious.
■Shake It Up.
This may seem unfriendly, but I no longer shake hands unless necessary. Did you know that only 20 percent of those using the rest room wash their hands? Yuck.
I also avoid hugging and kissing (except romantically or greeting Grandma.) I still remain friendly just not with physical contact.
