And some of those viruses can be quite potent. The rhinovirus, which is the most common, seldom causes serious illness. But others, such as parainfluenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), can lead to severe lung infections in young children.

Washing your hands with soap and water kills or removes viruses you may have picked up on your hands. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cold viruses can survive on hard surfaces for several hours. But cleaning these areas often can cut down on their number.

These beliefs about catching a cold are not true. Viruses cause colds.

There is no cure for a cold, but these remedies can ease cold symptoms. These should not be given to children because the risk for side effects is greater than the severity of the cold they are treating. Talk with your healthcare provider before using cold remedies.

Your eyes, nose, and mouth are common ways the cold viruses enter your system.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when your cough or sneeze and throw the dirty tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Wash your hands after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.

Fluids help keep mucus more liquid and help prevent ear infections, bronchitis, and other complications.

Alcohol swells nasal passages, and smoke irritates them.

You should see a healthcare provider if you have severe or abnormal symptoms, if symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a fever or is lethargic.

Antibiotics treat bacteria but have no effect on viruses.