Common cold victims have clear, runny noses, sneeze a lot and have a scratchy throat. Hopefully that is not you this season. You may have a headache, muscle weakness, fatigue or coughing. It's a highly contagious viral infection mainly affecting the upper respiratory system. The symptoms would normally resolve after seven days, though they may go on to 14 days.

Its contagious nature can be seen in the way it spreads through schools, and whenever a strain is introduced by a single student in a class, it quickly spreads to other students. Mothers also may get common cold from their children. In the United States, the common cold mostly occurs during winter although you can have common cold at any time of the year. Outside the United States, especially in places where there is not a winter, the common cold is prevalent during the wet season.

What Causes the Common Cold?

The common cold is not caused by the cold, as the name would imply, but rather by viruses that are spread from one person to another whilst congregating together in houses during the cold season. The many symptoms of common cold may be caused by at least a hundred different types of viruses, making it difficult to diagnose and treat.

These viruses, commonly known as rhinoviruses thrive at low temperatures, like those that can be found around the nose. If you as so much as touch your nose, you will have the virus on your hands, passing it on to anyone who touches your hand. So watch out for those handshakes, especially during the cold and flu season. The viruses can also survive on a doorknob for around three hours waiting for you to grab. Transmission between two people can also occur through coughing and sneezing as well. The major point of entry is the nasal cavity and on the eyes.

How Can I Prevent the Common Cold?

Good oral hygiene is important in keeping most of the worlds' nastiest afflictions at bay, and this is also true with the common cold. Wash your hands after visiting the bathrooms or after being in contact with people who have colds (they would need to confess that though) or those that see to have it. Also, keep away from people who have colds. In practice this may be a difficult option as many times we do not know who has cold, and we may have to work in the same environment. Thirdly, try to rest and avoid getting overly stressed.

Which Raw Foods are the Most Beneficial?

The United Stated department of Agriculture suggests that Americans don't take in nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system.

The following raw foods can greatly boost the immune system:

• Vitamin A (carrots mangoes, apricots)
• Vitamin C (Broccoli, bell peppers, kale)
• Vitamin B1 (carrots, garlic and onions)

We are what we eat, so goes the saying, and when it comes to common cold, eating raw vegetables can significantly reduce its symptoms and severity.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari