Colds are passed from person to person by "droplet borne infection": People cough or sneeze at you. Each time this happens, millions of viruses are flung into the air, fine droplets are airborne for minutes, while the expelled viruses can persist there for hours. With each breath taken, the viruses then enter the airways of other people. Or you shake hands with someone suffering from a cold, and later on touch your mouth - scientists have uncovered the hands as a huge reservoir for transmission!
Frequently washing your hands is the first step to be taken in preventing the spread. A strong immune system will take care of the rest - in other words, fighting off the remaining viruses. It is known that a weak immune system is much more likely to succumb to the common cold than a strong one! Especially during the cold season it is important to take in a sufficient amount of vitamins and to eat fresh fruits and vegetables several times a day! The immune system is also strengthened by adequate exercise and sleep.
