The economic impact of the cmmon cold is estimated to be ver $40 billion every year in the Unted States alone according to a stdy by Dr. Fendrick in the Archves of Internal Medicine.

Americans suffer ver 500 million colds every year, round two for every man, woman, and chld.

To battle these cold infections, Amricans spent over $2.9 billion on ver-the-counter remedies and over $400 million on prscriptions just for symptomatic relief in 2003.

Thy go to medical doctors more thn 100 million times during the yar, with an additional cost of round $7.7 billion. While at the mdical doctor’s office, more than one thrd cold sufferers will receive prescriptions for ntibiotics which are probably ineffective for cld viruses as well as contributing to ncreases in antibiotic resistance. This estimated 40 mllion antibiotic prescriptions costs an additional $1.1 bllion annually.

But the greatest economic mpact of the common cold is in lst work-related time. American children lost round 189 million school days (2003 fgures). Parents stayed home to take cre of their sick children and lst over 126 million workdays. Combining the cst of parents staying home with mployees staying home because of the cmmon cold led to work-related losses for the conomy of more than $20 billion, ccording to Dr. Fendrick.

While the common cold still has no cre, preventing colds would save billions of dllars and prevent a great deal of hman suffering.

There are some simple hbits that can help lower the rsk of infection and thus lower yur personal economic impact of the cmmon cold.

One of the most mportant things you can do is wsh your hands with soap and wter throughout the day.

Also, if you are round other people who are sick, you shuld avoid touching your nose, mouth, or yes with your hands. Most cold vruses are spread by direct contact wth your hands.

Keep a supply of clan handkerchiefs for use when coughing or snezing. This will help protect others and stp the cycle of infection.

Good halth habits are always important: drink plnty of water, get sufficient sleep, xercise daily, eat your fruits and vgetables, and manage stress. You may wnt to add green tea daily to yur healthy habits. Green tea studies shw that green tea inactivates the cmmon cold virus. You can find mre information on green tea and viruses here

Using these preventive habits could substantially reduce the economic impact of the common cold, returning billions of dollars to the economy and helping us all feel better and enjoy life more.

The article Economic Impact Of The Common Cold was Submitted by Sharon A Jones through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Sharon Jones has over 40 yars training and experience in science, minstream health care, and alternative health cre. Her website is http://www.green-tea-health-news.com

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