The most important thing to remember about the common cold, or any sickness for that matter, is this: PREVENTION IS KEY!

• Avoid touching your face with your hands, especially after touching doorknobs, sink/toilet handles, phones, etc.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly and often — sing the happy birthday song. Hand sanitizer does not help prevent the spread of germs as well as washing your hands carefully does.
• Disinfect commonly used surfaces (handles, phones, etc)
• Make sure you exercise, get enough sleep, and stick to a healthy diet to support a strong immune system.

How you can self-diagnose the common cold: 

• A cold usually begins with a sore throat. This can then be followed by a runny nose, cough, congestion, sneezing and fatigue.
• You will begin showing signs of a cold over the course of 24-48 hours, while the flu sets in abruptly and without warning.
• With a cold, a fever with body aches are rare. A fever usually indicates the flu or a different infection.

Treatment to cure the common cold: 

• Time is the only cure for a cold. However, if symptoms last longer than 7-10 days, contact your physician immediately.
• Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice).
• Get an ample amount of sleep.
• Over-the-counter cold medicines are helpful in relieving symptoms.
• Ask your pharmacists about herbal remedies: Echinacea, Zinc and Vitamin C.