The "common cold" may be a common occurrence in winter and spring in our northern climes, but it certainly is an aggravating nuisance. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults catch 2-4 colds a year, while children are apt to come down with as many as 10 episodes of the sniffles.

Colds are caused by a virus and most often transferred by touching your hands to your eyes, mouth or nose. Washing your hands with hot water and soap frequently throughout the day and using an alcohol based hand sanitizer, are your best forms of prevention. Keep small containers of the alcohol sanitizer in your purse, car or work area to use when water is not available. If possible, avoid using public phones, computers, etc. Use alcohol wipes or a spray disinfectant on any home phone used by a cold sufferer. Don’t share cups, glasses or eating utensils.

Children get more colds because they have more exposure to the virus. Now with many children’s cold remedies in question, it’s hard to know what to do to help your little ones feel better. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a few suggestions that you may want to consider:

	Non-medicated saline nose drops may help thin out the mucus and relieve a stuffy nose.
	A humidifier in the room may also help clear your child’s nasal passages.
	If your child has a fever, avoid using aspirin products – aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, which can affect some internal organs. Read the labels and look for "salicylate," this word probably means the medicine has aspirin like compounds.
	Make sure your child is staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
	If you are caring for a child with a cold, wash your own hands frequently and encourage others to do the same. It is the single best way to prevent cold viruses from spreading.

Parents should always check with their children’s doctors before giving any medicines, but with a little extra effort and patience, your child will be well in no time at all.

PS: All of the above suggestions are helpful for adults also!