A very popular question this month has been, "Doc, how do I prevent myself from getting so many colds?" Well, there still has been no vaccine or cures available for the pesky common cold but the good news is that you can reduce (but not completely prevent) your risk from developing upper respiratory infections.

These are the things I usually recommend:

1. Do: Wash your hands frequently. What does this mean? It means after you go to the bathroom, before you eat or prepare foods and after you use public transportation. A good rule of thumb is to sing "Happy Birthday" while you're washing your hands (approximately fiften minutes with plenty of soap and hot water). The desanitizing agents are an acceptable substitute only if you don't have water and soap available.

2. Don't: Touch your mucous membranes. What does this mean? Don't pick your nose, don't touch your eyes or mouth. Enough said.

3. Do: Get plenty of sleep

4. Do: Manage stress levels.

5. Do: Eat a varied and healthy diet. You should be able to get all your vitamins and minerals from your diet.

6. Do: Take a supplement (can be a multivitamin) which contains approximately 700 I.U. of Vitamin D. This is for immune support.

7. Do: You may consider taking a daily supplement of Vitamin C (500 mg).

8. Do: Get cardiovascular exercise in your lifestyle. This is to help with stress management and helps with better sleep.

9. If you have little ones at home, teach them how to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough. Teach them to wash their hands frequently.

10. If you feel that slight scratchy throat and the nose drip at the very beginning of a cold, I promote taking zinc immediately. In some people this is effective, but it has to be taken immediately. It is inot usually effective once a cold becomes full-blown.

11. You may consider nasal rinsing if you have frequent allergies or colds.