Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPreventionWhat About a Cold Coming On?Immunocompromised ConsiderationsIs Flu Prevention Different?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prevention
What About a Cold Coming On?
Immunocompromised Considerations
Is Flu Prevention Different?
When you catch a cold,rhinovirusesare usually to blame. Common cold season usually starts at the end of summer, in September, and winds down sometime in April.You’re most likely to catch a cold in the fall and winter.
Hans Neleman / Getty Images
Prevent Colds This Year: Different Tactics
To prevent colds, boosting your immunity before September and keeping it robust throughout the year can help keep you healthy duringcold season.
Diet and Lifestyle
Below are diet and lifestyle-related tips for preventing or stopping colds from happening:
Evidence-Based Tactics
Below are evidence-based ways to prevent catching a cold that isn’t necessarily related to daily lifestyle choices or dietary habits:
Vitamins and Supplements
In addition to vitamin C, below are other natural supplements/home remedies that support immune health and might reduce the likelihood of catching a cold:
Always consult with a healthcare provider before taking natural supplements to make sure a dosage won’t interfere with the medications you’re taking or have adverse effects based on your medical history.
Ways to Naturally Prevent Colds
When you feel a cold coming on, the best thing to do is help your immune system stay strong. This includes getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, sipping tea, and eating healthy foods, including chicken soup, which can help alleviate congestion and soothe a sore throat.Zinc lozenges or echinacea drops can help if taken at the first sign of a cold coming on.
Immunocompromised and Constantly Getting Sick
Below are some tips for avoiding catching a cold or getting the flu this year for anyone who’s immunocompromised or gets sick constantly:
Although common colds and the flu share many of the same symptoms, the flu can be far more dangerous, particularly for younger children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
While many tactics for protecting against cold viruses and influenza viruses overlap, flu prevention typically involves two additional layers of protection not available for preventing or treating the common cold:
Summary
To avoid catching a cold, wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. Eat a nutritious diet, get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and stay active. Taking care of your health boosts immunity and prevents colds.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marcelo RZ, Lustik MB, Jones MU.Seasonality and climatic factors associated with human rhinovirus/enterovirus nasopharyngeal sample positivity on Oahu, Hawai’i. 2016-2019.Military Medicine. 2024;189(1-2):e34-e39. doi:10.1093/milmed/usad125Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About common cold.Pourriyahi H, Yazdanpanah N, Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N.Loneliness: an immunometabolic syndrome.IJERPH. 2021;18(22):12162. doi:10.3390/ijerph182212162Moncion K, Young K, Tunis M, Rempel S, Stirling R, Zhao L.Effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza virus infection in the community setting: a systematic review.CCDR. 2019;45(1):12-23. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v45i01a02Kwok YLA, Gralton J, McLaws ML.Face touching: a frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene.American Journal of Infection Control. 2015;43(2):112-114. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.015Wilson AM, Verhougstraete MP, Beamer PI, King MF, Reynolds KA, Gerba CP.Frequency of hand-to-head, -mouth, -eyes, and -nose contacts for adults and children during eating and non-eating macro-activities.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021;31(1):34-44. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-0249-8Kampf G.Potential role of inanimate surfaces for the spread of coronaviruses and their inactivation with disinfectant agents.Infection Prevention in Practice. 2020;2(2):100044. doi10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100044Ferrari S, Blázquez T, Cardelli R, Puglisi G, Suárez R, Mazzarella L.Ventilation strategies to reduce airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms: a systematic review of scientific literature.Building and Environment. 2022;222:109366. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109366Reiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A. Bouvier NM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Pauling L.Vitamin C and common cold.JAMA. 1971;216(2):332. doi:10.1001/jama.1971.03180280086025Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Singh M, Das RR.Zinc for the common cold. In: The Cochrane Collaboration, ed.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2013:CD001364.pub4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4David S, Cunningham R.Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:18-26. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.011Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI.Benefits and risks of sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e38578. doi:10.7759/cureus.38578Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al.American Ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1041. doi:10.3390/nu11051041Allan GM, Arroll B.Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence.CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442Li Z, Li X, Cai Z, Jin G, Ahn DU, Huang X.Immunomodulatory effects of chicken soups prepared with the native cage-free chickens and the commercial caged broilers.Poultry Science. 2022;101(10):102053. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102053Smith J.A is for aphorisms - feed a fever, starve a cold? Or could it be starve a fever, feed a cold?Australian Family Physician. 2015;44(1-2):77–78.Kraft CS, Jacob JT, Sears MH, Burd EM, Caliendo AM, Lyon GM.Severity of human rhinovirus infection in immunocompromised adults is similar to that of 2009 H1N1 influenza.J Clin Microbiol. 2012;50(3):1061-1063. doi:10.1128/jcm.06579-11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Past seasons’ vaccine effectiveness estimates.Groeneveld GH, Marbus SD, Ismail N, et al.Effectiveness of oseltamivir in reduction of complications and 30-day mortality in severe seasonal influenza infection.International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2020;56(5):106155. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106155Additional ReadingPappas DE.The common cold. In:Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Elsevier; 2018:199-202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marcelo RZ, Lustik MB, Jones MU.Seasonality and climatic factors associated with human rhinovirus/enterovirus nasopharyngeal sample positivity on Oahu, Hawai’i. 2016-2019.Military Medicine. 2024;189(1-2):e34-e39. doi:10.1093/milmed/usad125Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About common cold.Pourriyahi H, Yazdanpanah N, Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N.Loneliness: an immunometabolic syndrome.IJERPH. 2021;18(22):12162. doi:10.3390/ijerph182212162Moncion K, Young K, Tunis M, Rempel S, Stirling R, Zhao L.Effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza virus infection in the community setting: a systematic review.CCDR. 2019;45(1):12-23. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v45i01a02Kwok YLA, Gralton J, McLaws ML.Face touching: a frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene.American Journal of Infection Control. 2015;43(2):112-114. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.015Wilson AM, Verhougstraete MP, Beamer PI, King MF, Reynolds KA, Gerba CP.Frequency of hand-to-head, -mouth, -eyes, and -nose contacts for adults and children during eating and non-eating macro-activities.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021;31(1):34-44. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-0249-8Kampf G.Potential role of inanimate surfaces for the spread of coronaviruses and their inactivation with disinfectant agents.Infection Prevention in Practice. 2020;2(2):100044. doi10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100044Ferrari S, Blázquez T, Cardelli R, Puglisi G, Suárez R, Mazzarella L.Ventilation strategies to reduce airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms: a systematic review of scientific literature.Building and Environment. 2022;222:109366. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109366Reiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A. Bouvier NM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Pauling L.Vitamin C and common cold.JAMA. 1971;216(2):332. doi:10.1001/jama.1971.03180280086025Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Singh M, Das RR.Zinc for the common cold. In: The Cochrane Collaboration, ed.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2013:CD001364.pub4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4David S, Cunningham R.Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:18-26. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.011Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI.Benefits and risks of sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e38578. doi:10.7759/cureus.38578Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al.American Ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1041. doi:10.3390/nu11051041Allan GM, Arroll B.Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence.CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442Li Z, Li X, Cai Z, Jin G, Ahn DU, Huang X.Immunomodulatory effects of chicken soups prepared with the native cage-free chickens and the commercial caged broilers.Poultry Science. 2022;101(10):102053. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102053Smith J.A is for aphorisms - feed a fever, starve a cold? Or could it be starve a fever, feed a cold?Australian Family Physician. 2015;44(1-2):77–78.Kraft CS, Jacob JT, Sears MH, Burd EM, Caliendo AM, Lyon GM.Severity of human rhinovirus infection in immunocompromised adults is similar to that of 2009 H1N1 influenza.J Clin Microbiol. 2012;50(3):1061-1063. doi:10.1128/jcm.06579-11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Past seasons’ vaccine effectiveness estimates.Groeneveld GH, Marbus SD, Ismail N, et al.Effectiveness of oseltamivir in reduction of complications and 30-day mortality in severe seasonal influenza infection.International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2020;56(5):106155. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106155Additional ReadingPappas DE.The common cold. In:Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Elsevier; 2018:199-202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Marcelo RZ, Lustik MB, Jones MU.Seasonality and climatic factors associated with human rhinovirus/enterovirus nasopharyngeal sample positivity on Oahu, Hawai’i. 2016-2019.Military Medicine. 2024;189(1-2):e34-e39. doi:10.1093/milmed/usad125Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About common cold.Pourriyahi H, Yazdanpanah N, Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N.Loneliness: an immunometabolic syndrome.IJERPH. 2021;18(22):12162. doi:10.3390/ijerph182212162Moncion K, Young K, Tunis M, Rempel S, Stirling R, Zhao L.Effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza virus infection in the community setting: a systematic review.CCDR. 2019;45(1):12-23. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v45i01a02Kwok YLA, Gralton J, McLaws ML.Face touching: a frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene.American Journal of Infection Control. 2015;43(2):112-114. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.015Wilson AM, Verhougstraete MP, Beamer PI, King MF, Reynolds KA, Gerba CP.Frequency of hand-to-head, -mouth, -eyes, and -nose contacts for adults and children during eating and non-eating macro-activities.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021;31(1):34-44. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-0249-8Kampf G.Potential role of inanimate surfaces for the spread of coronaviruses and their inactivation with disinfectant agents.Infection Prevention in Practice. 2020;2(2):100044. doi10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100044Ferrari S, Blázquez T, Cardelli R, Puglisi G, Suárez R, Mazzarella L.Ventilation strategies to reduce airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms: a systematic review of scientific literature.Building and Environment. 2022;222:109366. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109366Reiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A. Bouvier NM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Pauling L.Vitamin C and common cold.JAMA. 1971;216(2):332. doi:10.1001/jama.1971.03180280086025Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8Singh M, Das RR.Zinc for the common cold. In: The Cochrane Collaboration, ed.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2013:CD001364.pub4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4David S, Cunningham R.Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:18-26. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.011Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI.Benefits and risks of sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e38578. doi:10.7759/cureus.38578Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al.American Ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1041. doi:10.3390/nu11051041Allan GM, Arroll B.Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence.CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442Li Z, Li X, Cai Z, Jin G, Ahn DU, Huang X.Immunomodulatory effects of chicken soups prepared with the native cage-free chickens and the commercial caged broilers.Poultry Science. 2022;101(10):102053. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102053Smith J.A is for aphorisms - feed a fever, starve a cold? Or could it be starve a fever, feed a cold?Australian Family Physician. 2015;44(1-2):77–78.Kraft CS, Jacob JT, Sears MH, Burd EM, Caliendo AM, Lyon GM.Severity of human rhinovirus infection in immunocompromised adults is similar to that of 2009 H1N1 influenza.J Clin Microbiol. 2012;50(3):1061-1063. doi:10.1128/jcm.06579-11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Past seasons’ vaccine effectiveness estimates.Groeneveld GH, Marbus SD, Ismail N, et al.Effectiveness of oseltamivir in reduction of complications and 30-day mortality in severe seasonal influenza infection.International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2020;56(5):106155. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106155
Marcelo RZ, Lustik MB, Jones MU.Seasonality and climatic factors associated with human rhinovirus/enterovirus nasopharyngeal sample positivity on Oahu, Hawai’i. 2016-2019.Military Medicine. 2024;189(1-2):e34-e39. doi:10.1093/milmed/usad125
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About common cold.
Pourriyahi H, Yazdanpanah N, Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N.Loneliness: an immunometabolic syndrome.IJERPH. 2021;18(22):12162. doi:10.3390/ijerph182212162
Moncion K, Young K, Tunis M, Rempel S, Stirling R, Zhao L.Effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza virus infection in the community setting: a systematic review.CCDR. 2019;45(1):12-23. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v45i01a02
Kwok YLA, Gralton J, McLaws ML.Face touching: a frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene.American Journal of Infection Control. 2015;43(2):112-114. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.015
Wilson AM, Verhougstraete MP, Beamer PI, King MF, Reynolds KA, Gerba CP.Frequency of hand-to-head, -mouth, -eyes, and -nose contacts for adults and children during eating and non-eating macro-activities.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021;31(1):34-44. doi:10.1038/s41370-020-0249-8
Kampf G.Potential role of inanimate surfaces for the spread of coronaviruses and their inactivation with disinfectant agents.Infection Prevention in Practice. 2020;2(2):100044. doi10.1016/j.infpip.2020.100044
Ferrari S, Blázquez T, Cardelli R, Puglisi G, Suárez R, Mazzarella L.Ventilation strategies to reduce airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms: a systematic review of scientific literature.Building and Environment. 2022;222:109366. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109366
Reiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A. Bouvier NM, ed.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337
Pauling L.Vitamin C and common cold.JAMA. 1971;216(2):332. doi:10.1001/jama.1971.03180280086025
Hemilä H, Chalker E.Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2468. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8
Singh M, Das RR.Zinc for the common cold. In: The Cochrane Collaboration, ed.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2013:CD001364.pub4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4
David S, Cunningham R.Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:18-26. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.011
Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI.Benefits and risks of sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e38578. doi:10.7759/cureus.38578
Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al.American Ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1041. doi:10.3390/nu11051041
Allan GM, Arroll B.Prevention and treatment of the common cold: making sense of the evidence.CMAJ. 2014;186(3):190-199. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121442
Li Z, Li X, Cai Z, Jin G, Ahn DU, Huang X.Immunomodulatory effects of chicken soups prepared with the native cage-free chickens and the commercial caged broilers.Poultry Science. 2022;101(10):102053. doi:10.1016/j.psj.2022.102053
Smith J.A is for aphorisms - feed a fever, starve a cold? Or could it be starve a fever, feed a cold?Australian Family Physician. 2015;44(1-2):77–78.
Kraft CS, Jacob JT, Sears MH, Burd EM, Caliendo AM, Lyon GM.Severity of human rhinovirus infection in immunocompromised adults is similar to that of 2009 H1N1 influenza.J Clin Microbiol. 2012;50(3):1061-1063. doi:10.1128/jcm.06579-11
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Past seasons’ vaccine effectiveness estimates.
Groeneveld GH, Marbus SD, Ismail N, et al.Effectiveness of oseltamivir in reduction of complications and 30-day mortality in severe seasonal influenza infection.International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2020;56(5):106155. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106155
Pappas DE.The common cold. In:Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Elsevier; 2018:199-202.e1. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-40181-4.00026-8
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
