Common Cold - Prevention

Prevention

Physical measures to prevent the spread of cold viruses have been deemed the only potentially effective measures for prevention. These measures include primarily hand washing and face masks; in the health care environment, gowns and disposable gloves are also used. Efforts such as quarantine are not possible as the disease is so widespread and symptoms are non-specific. Vaccination has proved difficult as there are so many viruses involved and they change rapidly. Creation of a broadly effective vaccine is thus highly improbable.

Regular hand washing appears to be effective at reducing the transmission of cold viruses especially among children. Whether the addition of antivirals or antibacterials to normal hand washing provides greater benefit is unknown. Wearing face masks when around people who are infected may be beneficial; however, there is insufficient evidence for maintaining a greater social distance. Zinc supplementation may be effective at decreasing the rate of colds. Routine vitamin C supplementation does not reduce the risk or severity of the common cold, though it may reduce its duration.