As the weather grows colder and winter progresses, both children and adults are more susceptible to the common cold, according to Mayo Clinic.

There are many different methods of prevention, but research has shown simply washing your hands significantly reduces the likelihood of sickness or avoiding places where germs gather like hospitals and public restrooms/facilities.

Kendall Bennett, a senior at AHS says, “I avoid public restrooms at all costs. I get grossed out pretty easily.”

According to Mayo Clinic, there are treatments and remedies for the common cold, if a person does catch it.

The common cold includes a cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and fatigue. It is mainly caused by the rhinovirus, which is highly contagious, according to Mayo Clinic.

“The headaches are the most painful and irritating symptom for me,” says Arrowhead junior, Carly Brown.

There are many ways to prevent catching the cold. According to Mayo Clinic, keep household items and surfaces sanitized, do not share utensils or drinking glasses, avoid close contact with anyone with a cold, sneeze and cough into tissues as often as possible.

Arrowhead sophomore, Nash Thomann, says eating healthy helps him prevent the common cold.

Lastly, wash your hands. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention officially stated washing hands is the most important method of prevention against the common cold.

It has been shown that the common cold contributes to 22 million lost school days and each year, 52.2 million cases of the common cold are reported in children under the age of 17, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Brown says on average she has the common cold one to two times each year and doesn’t miss any school days due to her contagious sickness.

“I push through it,” says Brown.

There are many ways to alleviate the symptoms when one is finally stricken with the common cold.

“Taking vitamin C at the onset of cold symptoms may shorten the duration of symptoms,” says the Mayo Clinic.

It is also highly important to drink lots of fluids and rest often. Gargling salt water and saline nasal spray is also said to be beneficial. Pain relievers, such as Tylenol can lessen fever, sore throat, and headaches. “[Although] acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if taken frequently or in larger than recommended doses,” says the Mayo Clinic.