Nemours Kids' Health reports that the common cold is the most common infectious disease in the United States, responsible for more absences from school and work than any other illness. Caused by any of a number of viruses in the air you breathe and on surfaces you touch, close contact with other people isn't always required to catch a cold. Understanding how the common cold is passed from person to person may be all you need to stay healthy.
Airborne Viruses
MayoClinic.com warns that the common cold can be caught through viruses traveling in small droplets through the air. The virus can be released when someone who is infected with the cold talks, coughs, sneezes, or even laughs. If an airborne virus is present and you inhale, the virus can enter the body through your mouth or nose simply through the act of breathing.
Hand-to-Hand Contact
Holding hands with someone infected with the cold virus for even a few seconds can leave you susceptible to it. Wash your hands well and often if you have a cold to decrease your risk of spreading it to others, and after coming in contact with someone displaying symptoms of a cold in order to decrease your risk of contracting it.
Sharing Objects
Shared objects in the home and office can be vehicles for passing along cold viruses. In this case, no direct contact is needed between the person passing the virus and the person receiving it. Wipe shared items down with disinfectant spray often, especially when someone in the home or office has cold symptoms.
Sharing food and drink can also facilitate the transfer of cold viruses between people. Keep your food, beverages and eating utensils to yourself to prevent unnecessary spread of a cold.
Hand-to-Mouth
The cold virus can also be transferred from hand-to-mouth contact. When you touch something that has the cold virus -- like a doorknob or a telephone -- and then you put your hands to your mouth, you can pass the virus into your body. Avoid putting your hands near your face, and wash them often to decrease your risk of coming down with a cold.
Risk Factors
Having contact with a cold virus doesn't always mean that you are going to get a cold. The immune system will work to fight off a cold virus as it enters your body. If it is successful early on, you may feel fine. If it is allowed to run its course a little longer, you will feel your body's immune response to the virus. This includes a sore throat, mucus, headaches and a cough, reports Nemours Kids Health. Over-the-counter cold drugs may alleviate some of the symptoms of a cold.
Strong immune systems are essential for fighting off colds and other viruses. Incorporate as much vitamin C into your diet as possible, although Medline Plus warns that it's too late for vitamin C once your symptoms have begun to show themselves.
