Cold and flu season is a time of year that people dread, but no matter what, it always ends up coming anyways. Having a cold is never fun, but not knowing what’s causing that cold is even worse! Knowing what causes a cold can not only help you get better more quickly now, but it could help prevent a cold in the future. 

What is a Common Cold? 

A common cold is a type of rhinovirus that enters your body through your mouth, nose, or eyes. It’s a type of upper respiratory infection that generally isn’t very serious but should be avoided anyway. Common colds can lead to ear infections, sinus infections, and bronchitis if you don’t recover quickly. 

How Do Colds Spread?

Since a cold is a virus, they’re highly contagious. The only way to catch a cold is by getting it from someone who already has the virus. This can happen directly or indirectly. If someone sneezes or coughs near you without covering their mouth, droplets can go into your nose or mouth, exposing you to the infection. You can also be exposed indirectly through contact with an infected surface. If someone with a cold touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, then touches a surface, and you touch that surface, you now have the virus on your hands. 

Common Cold Prevention

Now that we know a cold is caused by contact with someone else who has a cold, what can you do to prevent a cold in the future? The best way to lower your risk of catching a cold is to practice good hand hygiene. Good hand hygiene means washing your hands regularly throughout the day for at least 20 seconds each time. You should also avoid touching common surfaces like door handles, railings, and elevator buttons with your hands. If you do have to touch a commonly touched surface, wash your hands quickly afterwards. Anytime you’re in public you should avoid touching your face, since any surface could be carrying the cold virus without you knowing. 

If you are suffering from a cold and need medical advice or treatment, your local urgent care center can help! With convenient locations and hours and affordable pricing, urgent care is the best option when you need treatment without waiting for an appointment. Urgent care is designed with the patient in mind, so let us help make you feel better! 

Telemedicine Visits for Common Colds

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress, AFC Urgent Care Arlington is doing everything possible to help ensure that patients have access to care for their common cold symptoms. That is why AFC Arlington is offering telemedicine visits for patients that need immediate treatment for sudden illnesses and injuries including common colds.

To book telemedicine in Arlington, MA, just use the buttons on the website or the link here to get started! As we address this troubling virus together, AFC Arlington is here to do its part in keeping our neighbors and communities as healthy as possible.