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Common cold - Management
Can the common cold be prevented?
Transmission of the common cold cannot be completely prevented, but basic hygiene measures may help prevent spread.
- Advise the person that, on average, it is normal for a child to have 8 colds a year, and an adult can expect to have 2–4 colds a year. For further information, see Prevalence.
- Inform that common sense and good hygiene should be practised when there is a risk of infection being transmitted. Possible measures to limit the spread of colds include:
- Discouraging visitors who have symptoms of the common cold.
- Washing hands frequently with soap and hot water when the person has symptoms of the common cold, or comes into contact with someone who has symptoms. Avoid sharing towels.
- For children, discourage the sharing of toys with an infected child, and consider washing the toys with soapy water after use.
- There are no specific recommendations on when people should avoid going to school or work.
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