You can t prevent a cold, but you can lower your chances of getting one by common-sense measures. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy, balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and try to cut down on stress in your life. In this way, you can keep your immune system fighting fit all year long. Wash your hands frequently. This will help prevent you catching the cold virus from another person who is infected.
Many people believe that high doses of vitamin C can prevent colds.
However, controlled studies have shown that vitamin C is of little help. In fact, high doses of this, and other vitamins may be harmful. Try to obtain your vitamins naturally through a good diet. Recent studies have shown that zinc may shorten the duration of a cold by boosting the immune system. However, it is still unclear how well zinc works and how safe it is.