When the leaves fall, the weather gets colder outside. Variability abounds and it is still difficult to estimate what clothes you should wear in the morning. There are periods of sunshine, but also of heavy wind and heavy rain showers. An ideal weather for walking. Sometimes a cold doesn’t seem far away and when you start blowing your nose, it seems like you won’t be able to stop for the next week. However, the weather is not the main culprit and there are a number of tips to prevent a cold or to make it last less long.

Vitamin C

Pills and medication are not necessary in most cases. Yet vitamins can do their job when you have a cold. People who take a daily dose of 200 mg can reduce the risk of a cold by up to half. If you feel more susceptible for a moment, it might be advisable to visit the pharmacy or herb shop. If your cold does not go away, it is best to consult a doctor.

Feel free to go outside

It is not at all true that your cold gets worse when you go outside. You will therefore not contract the condition there. From autumn onwards, people move closer together and breeding grounds for bacteria arise. So walking in the cold has nothing to do with catching a cold. What you have to watch out for are the places where a lot of people come together. This way, the bacteria easily pass from one person to another. Just think of the telephone, door handles, the keyboard and mouse of your computer,… Wipe them clean regularly with a clean handkerchief and use a disinfectant occasionally. This significantly reduces the risk of transmitting a disease.

Blow hard or not hard

Sometimes you are advised to blow your nose hard so that all the dirt comes out. However, this is not the best solution. By blowing your nose hard, the cold can spread to the sinuses, making you feel even more miserable. You may therefore feel miserable and ill over a longer period of time.

Dirty snot is a good sign

Snot is dirty, but this secretion has an important function. Sometimes it can be watery, but often it is also yellow or even green. You are not worse off at all if the snot is a dirty color. This is even a good sign. Yellow or green snot means that your body produces enough antibodies to get the bacteria out of your body. The dirtier your snot, the better your immune system works.

Young children versus older people

Older people have often had a cold in their lives, which makes them slightly more resilient. This also explains why children walk around with a dirty nose much more often and for longer. Over the years, the elderly have often had to produce antibodies and that makes you stronger. Children still have to build up that resilience.

Kissing is not contagious

Anyone who feels sick and has a cold will be inclined not to kiss too much with his or her partner. However, you don’t have to hold back at all. Kissing is therefore a lot less contagious than shaking hands.

Sweat it out or not

Sometimes it is said that you can sweat out the germs. Put on a thick sweater to go to sleep and you will feel a lot better. However, this is not a way to get rid of your cold. You will only feel better for a short period of time. Sweating it out does not address the core of the problem.