The simplest way to prevent the common cold

Colds are a common and uncomfortable disease. Some people get them at least once a month. Whether it's a little bit of sun exposure, a little bit of rain, or someone at work or school catching a cold, we can catch them. Although we do everything we can to avoid them, do you really know the most effective and simplest way to prevent them? That's washing your hands properly . Isn't it amazing? Today, let's talk about how this simple habit can help you avoid serious illness.

Let's first look at how the disease is transmitted.

If you understand this, it is very easy to stay safe. The main reason why colds are spread is that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets of saliva are released from their mouth and nose. These droplets are too small to be seen with the naked eye. These droplets are filled with the virus that causes colds.

Imagine this. Your friend has a cold. He covers his mouth with his hand when he sneezes. Then he asks for your phone and makes a call. Now, his virus-ridden hand has touched the phone. After a while, you pick up the phone and use it, and without even realizing it, you scratch your nose or touch your mouth. That's when the virus enters your body. And that's it! You also have a cold in two days.

This virus can be spread through common surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, banknotes, bus handles, computer keyboards, and mice.

Why is hand washing so important?

Now you understand why hand washing is important. Some of the viruses that cause colds can survive for hours on surfaces like doorknobs and tables. So how many things do we touch every day? The virus can be found everywhere.

When we wash our hands properly, these viruses that are unknowingly on our hands are destroyed. It's like closing the main door for the virus to enter our body. Also, if you suddenly catch a cold, if you wash your hands regularly, you will stop spreading the disease to others.

This is not just a story. This has been proven in a study conducted at a US military training camp. Soldiers at that camp were instructed to wash their hands at least five times a day. After two years, the incidence of respiratory illnesses (such as colds) had decreased by 45% compared to the year before the program began. See, how simple something can make such a big difference.

So, how do you wash your hands properly?

Many of us say we wash our hands, but what we do is just add a little water and rub our hands together. But that doesn't really remove germs. This is the correct way to wash your hands.

How many times a day should you wash your hands?

There really is no limit to this. It's best to wash your hands as often as possible. Especially during times like these, you should definitely wash your hands:

• Before and after eating.
• Before and after cooking.
• After going to the bathroom.
• When coughing, sneezing, or after cleaning your nose.
• After going out, traveling, and returning home (especially if you used public transportation).
• After the money transaction.
• After touching your pet.
• After picking up the trash.
• If you went to visit someone who was sick, after you returned home.

What do you do if you don't have soap or water nearby?

We don't always have the facilities to wash our hands with soap. Imagine you're riding a bus. Hand sanitizer is there to use at such times.

But when choosing a sanitizer, there's one small thing to consider. It should contain at least 60% alcohol . Anything less than that won't kill viruses effectively.

When using a sanitizer, apply a small amount to your hands and rub them all over your hands (between your fingers, under your nails, and on the back of your hands) until they are completely dry. But remember this.

If you make this simple habit a part of your daily routine, you can protect yourself not only from frequent colds, but also from a host of other infectious diseases.