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You catch More than 200 different
TRUE or
viruses can cause the
FALSE?
common cold, with
a cold from symptoms including
sneezing, sore throats,
and blocked noses.
being cold
While it is true that colds are more
common in winter and cold air can
create runny noses, this statement
gets the cold shoulder. The only thing
that causes a cold is a cold virus.
ANTIBIOTIC REVOLUTION
Antibiotics can help the
body fight infections. These
wonder drugs target and kill
specific bacteria, but they As the cold invaders
cannot cure a cold. This is advance, the nasal lining
fights back by producing
because colds are caused by mucus—a sticky trap
viruses, and antibiotics work for catching viruses,
only against bacteria. dust, and pollen.
Cold viruses exist in the air we breathe.
FAST FACTS When they enter the nose, the virus
enters your system. The viruses irritate
IT IS COMPUTER KEYBOARDS the nasal lining, triggering an automatic
POSSIBLE ARE DIRTIER reflex action—sneezing. As the sneeze
blasts thousands of tiny droplets into
TO SNEEZE WITH YOUR THAN TOILET SEATS the air, other people become infected.
EYES OPEN SNEEZES CAN Other household items such as
The eyelids snap shut naturally during REACH TOP SPEEDS OF remote controls, telephones,
a sneeze, but if they are held open it is and door handles also contain
still possible to sneeze—and contrary to 100 MPH (160 KM/H) more bacteria than the
popular legend, your eyes won’t pop out! It is the force and magnitude of the average toilet seat. Since toilet
It is believed that our eyes close as sneeze that allow germs to spread so seats tend to be disinfected,
protection from the microorganisms quickly, infecting others wherever the they are often one of the
and particles contained in the sneeze. water droplets land. cleanest surfaces in the house.
US_264_265_309600_illness.indd 264 19/12/17 3:48 pm
