Wash your hands regularly

This can help stop the spread of bacteriaor viruses and is especially important ifpeople around you appear to beinfected.1

Avoid smoking

If you smoke, try to quit as cigarette smoke irritates the sensitive tissues lining the throat and weakening the functioning of the immune system.2

Take Echinacea and zinc

While there is no concrete evidence that these supplements prevent a cold, some studies have suggested that they may help.3

Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth

The cold and flu viruses can enter your body through the eyes, nose and mouth. By not touching them too much, you can limit the risk of droplets on the hands reaching these areas and causing infection.

REFERENCES
  1. Common cold - Available at Common cold - NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold Last accessed: October 2025.
  2. What causes a chronic sore throat? - Available at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325537 Last accessed: October 2025.
  3. Pharmacy Times, November 2011. Available at https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-natural-way-to-fight-colds Last accessed: October 2025.