TYLER, Texas (East Texas News) – New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more people are contracting the common cold.
Currently, according to the research, cases are at their highest level since 2022. The CDC says that school attendance and changes in the weather are factors that increase transmission risk.
Data show that nearly a third of tests come back positive for rhinovirus and enterovirus. Rhinovirus is the most frequent cause of the common cold, and enterovirus is a type of respiratory infection that can cause fever, a runny nose, coughing, and sore throat.
While there is no vaccine for the common cold, there are ways to curb its spread:
- Wash your hands
- Disinfect the home and frequently touched surfaces
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Stay home if you are sick
Doctors say that an uptick in flu activity usually coincides with an increase in common cold cases. Flu cases typically begin to rise in early October, peaking in December through February. Regarding the flu, health professionals say the influenza vaccine is the best defense. They recommend that everyone aged six months and older get vaccinated annually.
