Congratulations on being proactive about your health! It may seem like getting a cold is unavoidable when people around you are coughing and sneezing; however, there are measures you can take that will decrease your chance of getting sick. If you haven’t had the flu shot yet, see your health care provider and get vaccinated. Avoid sharing water bottles, lip balm, drinks, food, utensils and other things that could pass viruses. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face so that any germs on your hands don’t get passed on to you. If you get sick anyway cough into your arm not your hands and wash your hands often. These are the best ways to lessen your chances of getting and spreading germs. Also boost your immune system and get 8-9 hours of sleep, eat balanced meals with lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains, exercise regularly, and lower your stress. If you smoke, quit and avoid second-hand smoke. If you do get sick, follow our health guide and talk with your health care provider. There are several different types of OTC medicines (medicine you can buy without a prescription) that can lessen the symptoms of the common cold and the flu; however, check with your health care provider first.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.