And some of those viruses can be quite potent. The rhinovirus, which is the most common, seldom causes serious illness. But others, such as parainfluenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), can lead to severe lung infections in young children.
2. Frequent handwashing may reduce your chances of getting a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Washing your hands with soap and water kills or removes viruses you may have picked up on your hands. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
3. Frequently cleaning telephones, countertops, and faucets in your home when a family member has a cold can help keep the illness from spreading.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Cold viruses can survive on hard surfaces for several hours. But cleaning these areas often can cut down on their number.
4. Wearing warm clothing, staying out of cold drafts, and not going outside with wet hair can keep you from catching a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
These beliefs about catching a cold are not true. Viruses cause colds.
5. Over-the-counter cold/cough medicines can cure a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
There is no cure for a cold, but these remedies can ease cold symptoms. These should not be given to children because the risk for side effects is greater than the severity of the cold they are treating. Talk with your healthcare provider before using cold remedies.
6. Keeping your fingers out of your eyes, nose, and mouth can help keep you from getting a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Your eyes, nose, and mouth are common ways the cold viruses enter your system.
7. It's better to cough or sneeze into a tissue than into your hands.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when your cough or sneeze and throw the dirty tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Wash your hands after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.
8. Drinking lots of liquids can help you recover from a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Fluids help keep mucus more liquid and help prevent ear infections, bronchitis, and other complications.
9. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can make you feel worse when you have a cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Alcohol swells nasal passages, and smoke irritates them.
10. Most colds can be self-treated at home.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
You should see a healthcare provider if you have severe or abnormal symptoms, if symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a fever or is lethargic.
11. Antibiotics can cure the common cold.
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Antibiotics treat bacteria but have no effect on viruses.
Tattooing has been performed as a decorative practice since ancient times. It is now also being used for some cosmetic medical procedures and for permanent make-up applications.
When you're thirsty for a drink of water, you probably turn on the tap, or open a container of bottled water.
You may take for granted the quality of the water you drink. but water safety can vary from place to place. Find out more about drinking water by taking this quiz, based on information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Each winter, millions of people suffer from influenza—the flu. The flu virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs, and spreads from person to person through coughs and sneezes. The video explains why a flu shot is important to help prevent this illness, which can be life-threatening in older adults.
