Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Viral URI - Colds
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the infection?
Good hand washing is the best way to avoid spreading colds from person to person. There are many measures that can help you avoid catching a cold. To reduce the spread of colds, a person with a cold should:
Healthy individuals should:
There is some evidence that vitamin C may help prevent and decrease the severity of colds. Zinc may also help prevent colds and reduce the severity of colds.
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Most colds resolve within 7 to 10 days. Some people will develop complications, such as a sinus infection, ear infection, or long-term cough. People who have breathing difficulties or lung conditions, such as asthma, are more likely to develop complications.
What are the risks to others?
Most colds are highly contagious. They are transmitted through respiratory secretions. Sneezing and coughing can spread these droplets. The germ can also be passed on when an individual touches his or her nose and then handles an object that another person later touches. The second person can then pick up the germ from the object and transfer it into his or her own respiratory tract by bringing the hand to the face.