How can I protect myself against colds?
In France, an adult can catch a cold up to 4 times a year(1). More common in the autumn and winter months, colds are a benign viral infection affecting the nose and throat.
Whilst their symptoms are not serious, they can still cause discomfort in our daily lives. In this article, you can read about three tips to avoid catching them.
A cold is an upper respiratory tract infection (affecting the nose, nasal airways and throat), caused by a virus. The virus can be spread through direct contact: by breathing in contaminated droplets or touching hands with someone who already has a cold; or indirectly, by touching a contaminated object for example. Colds can thus be spread all year round, and not just at wintertime.
To avoid catching one, wash your hands at regular intervals, keep antibacterial hand gel or soap on you and wear a mask if travelling on public transport.
The aim is to keep the virus away from your face!
The quality of the air in your main rooms is essential to your health. Air renewal allows to evacuate viruses and bacteria from your house and to clean your air from pollutants and other fungi and molds. To do this, air your rooms regularly by opening windows wide for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day. In the city, avoid the hours between 10am and 7pm(3).
All you have to do is follow these few tips to protect yourself from the cold virus and continue to enjoy your days in good health.
1 https://www.ameli.fr/loire-atlantique/assure/sante/themes/rhinopharyngite-adulte/symptomes (consulted on the 28th of june 2022))
2 Nieman DC, Henson DA et al. Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Nov 1.
3 https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Actualites/Dossiers/DossierComplexe.aspx?doc=5-raisons-aerer-maison (consulted on the 28th of june 2022)
