The common cold is the number one cause for children visiting the doctor, with the average school-aged child getting five to seven colds per year. Repeated illnesses can add up to many doctor visits and missed school days.http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/colds.html 

Even healthy adults average several cold infections per year.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-cold/DS00056 Pre-school aged children and kindergarteners are most at risk, averaging 12 colds per year.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606.php  Antibiotics cannot cure or speed up the healing of a cold so the best way to keep from being affected by a cold is to learn how to prevent it from infecting your system.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606.php 

The common cold is a viral infection which primarily affects the upper respiratory system, including the nose and throat.  Because there are more than 100 viruses which can cause the common cold, symptoms may vary, but most often include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, sneezing, and/or congestion.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-cold/DS00056 Additional symptoms can include a dry throat, mild fever, headache, or hoarse voice.http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606.php  Most people will recover from a cold infection in one to two weeks.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-cold/DS00056 

Use warm water when washing your hands, and lather with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds.  Be sure to lather all sides of your hands, including the backs and between the fingers. If you do not have access to a sink where your hands can be washed properly, hand sanitizer is an effective alternative, if hands are free from dirt and other items which might soil them.  Because approximately 80% of cold infections are spread by touch, your best protection from becoming ill is frequent and effective hand washing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLiOOMW0Eo4&feature=player_embedded 

Areas frequented by large numbers of people are the most common places to pick up the cold virus.  Places to avoid during cold season include offices, malls, movie theaters and airports. While it can be difficult to avoid these places altogether, if you are feeling unwell or slightly under the weather it is extremely important to avoid them if possible.  If you must visit such areas, practice frequent hand washing and use hand sanitizer gel.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLiOOMW0Eo4&feature=player_embedded 

The cold virus can be introduced to your system by touching your face near your eyes, nose or mouth.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLiOOMW0Eo4&feature=player_embedded   These areas contain mucous membranes which are receptors to the virus.  Once introduced to these areas, virus cells will begin to replicate immediately.http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/colds.html#   Sneezing will occur once nerves detect irritation to the nose from the virus.http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/colds.html#   Eyes will also begin to water from this type of irritation.http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/colds.html#