Health Tip: The Cold Facts

(HealthDay News) -- We''ve all had it. Runny nose, congestion, cough and sore throat. It''s the common cold.

Children are famous for passing it to their friends and family.

You''re most contagious the first two to three days of a cold and are usually not contagious at all by day seven, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) says.

There are more than 1 billion colds a year in the United States, where children average three to eight a year, the NLM says.

When you get a cold, drink plenty of fluids, get some rest, and try an over-the-counter cold medicine for relief.

Since common colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics -- designed to kill bacteria -- should not be used unless your doctor says so, the NLM says.

-- Deborah DiSesa Hirsch

Last Updated: March 7, 2006