A common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract; the nose and throat are normally affected. The symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, sneezing and congestion, the villains are the more than 200 viruses which cause common cold.

The average adults have two to four times common cold in a year, but the children may have a common cold six to ten times in a year. In one or two weeks the symptoms disappear, the child feels well, if not it is better to go to the doctor immediately. The complication includes acute ear infection, wheezing, sinusitis, strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis which the doctor must treat.

The main way of common cold infection is the spreading from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. Remember, some bacteria and viruses can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.

To stop the spread of these germs, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, clean your hands often with soap or alcohol based hand wipes. Teach this also to your children, once they learn, they follow it always.