As we enter December, the holiday season is in full swing. Decorations light up the streets, and jovial Christmas carols fill the air. But as we shift into the coldest time of the year, something far less cheerful also becomes increasingly popular: getting sick. Colds and other illnesses are not only bothersome, but may also lead to missed class time and other commitments. This raises the question: how can someone prevent themselves from getting a cold?
Maintaining proper hygiene by washing hands well is extremely important. Ideally, when washing hands, one should thoroughly apply soap to all parts of the hand — this should take around 20 seconds. Using hand sanitizer is also a viable option. It is essential to wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom. At Concord Academy, the faculty pets brighten everyone’s day, but after petting one, it is recommended that you wash your hands. Prior to eating a meal, handwashing is also recommended. The amount of hand sanitizer stations in the Stu-Fac makes cleaning your hands extremely easy. There are many vaccines that students and adults can receive, and staying up to date on them is very helpful in reducing illness risk.
Another factor that improves resistance to catching a cold is getting sufficient sleep. One study found that subjects who slept for less than six hours one week before exposure to a common cold were four times more likely to catch the cold compared to those who got more than seven hours of sleep. Similar results were found in another study, which saw almost triple the amount of cold onsets for those who slept less than seven hours compared to those who slept at least eight hours for two weeks prior to exposure.
However, even if one performs these precautionary actions, getting a cold can still be inevitable. How, then, can one lessen its effects? Drinking lots of liquids — but avoiding caffeinated ones — could counter dehydration. All fluids, but especially warm ones, may also relieve nasal congestion. Additionally, getting a lot of sleep and relaxing can help fight the cold.
Saltwater nasal irrigation systems and gargling can potentially dampen the effects of colds. One study found that using an isotonic saline irrigation system — where a saline rinse is pumped through your nasal passages — while infected with COVID-19 cut hospitalization rates for high-risk patients eightfold. Furthermore, another study found that the use of a hypertonic — higher concentration of salt — saline irrigation system combined with gargling a hypertonic saline rinse also achieved a sharp decrease in hospitalization rates. Research has even found that hypertonic nasal saline irrigation and salt water gargling can reduce the duration and infectiousness of common colds. These findings suggest that nasal irrigation systems and saltwater gargling can diminish the severity of viral illnesses.
When using a nasal irrigation system, it is necessary to use distilled or boiled water and clean bottles. For safety, use only under the supervision of a doctor. Another simpler method for reducing the length and severity of illnesses is using over-the-counter nasal sprays. One large randomized study found that using these sprays while sick limited symptom severity and led to the illness subsiding 20 percent faster.
Another important step to take as an infected person is to try to reduce the risk of infecting others. This can be achieved by being very diligent with the hygiene habits discussed earlier. The winter season is a time to celebrate, and to fully enjoy the festivities, reducing the impact colds have is essential.