Top or flop? Cold myths in check
Don´t pull your nose up! Don´t go outside with your hair wet! Put your hand over your mouth when coughing! Advice that everyone knows from their own parents and passes on to their own children. But are these well-intended behavioural tips really helpful? And do home remedies such as curd cheese wraps, warm beer or hot lemon effectively fight colds? Find out which tricks and tips really help.
Interesting facts about viruses
12 meter radius of infection
Difficult to avoid: Cold viruses spread by sneezing, blowing the nose or coughing. The viruses are in tiny droplets which spread up to 12 meters. That is longer than many buses are.
Turbo fast- up to 900km/h
Faster than any sports car: researchers have measured the speed of the air flowing out when sneezing and determined peak values of up to 900 km/h. The average speed is around 140 km/h. This speed brings viruses faster than one is able to turn away.
Popular nesting sites at home
Remote control, cell phone, doorknob: things which are touched particularly often are ideal spreaders of viruses. Unfortunately, children´s toys are also included. Many types of viruses are particularly robust. They can survive on certain surfaces for up to 72hrs. Therefore, provide regular cleaning and disinfection.
Cold viruses lurk everywhere
In public transport for example on grab handles and ticket machines. Or at work they are found on telephones, keyboards, and coffee machines. Caution is advised where many people meet: such as in open-space offices or at rush hour in public transport.
Guidelines to reduce the risk of catching an infection like Covid-19
Maintain at least 1.5 metre distance between yourself and a sick person
Wash your hands regularly with warm running water and soap for min. 20 sec, especially after sneezing, coughing or contact with a sick person
Clean or disinfect objects/ surfaces that may be contaminated
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
Eat and live healthy