Editing Common cold (section)

==Prevention==
The only useful ways to reduce the spread of cold viruses are physical and [[Engineering controls|engineering]] measures<ref name=E209/> such as using [[correct hand washing technique]], [[respirator]]s, and improvement of indoor air. In the healthcare environment, gowns and disposable gloves are also used.<ref name=E209/> Droplet precautions cannot reliably protect against [[Airborne transmission#Prevention|inhalation]] of common-cold-laden aerosols. Instead, airborne precautions such as [[respirator]]s, [[Ventilation (architecture)|ventilation]], and [[HEPA]]/[[Minimum efficiency reporting value|high MERV]] filters, are the only reliable protection against cold-laden aerosols.<ref name= prather_jimenez_marr_1/> Isolation or [[quarantine]] is not used as the disease is so widespread and symptoms are non-specific. There is no vaccine to protect against the common cold.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=11 February 2019 |title=Common Colds |url=http://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html |access-date=18 September 2020 |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |language=en-us |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927120520/https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Vaccination]] has proven difficult as there are so many viruses involved and because they [[Viral evolution|mutate]] rapidly.<ref name=E209/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Montesinos-Guevara |first1=Camila |last2=Buitrago-Garcia |first2=Diana |last3=Felix |first3=Maria L. |last4=Guerra |first4=Claudia V. |last5=Hidalgo |first5=Ricardo |last6=Martinez-Zapata |first6=Maria José |last7=Simancas-Racines |first7=Daniel |date=14 December 2022 |title=Vaccines for the common cold |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2022 |issue=12 |pages=CD002190 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD002190.pub6 |issn=1469-493X |pmc=9749450 |pmid=36515550}}</ref> Creation of a broadly effective vaccine is, therefore, highly improbable.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Lawrence DM |title=Gene studies shed light on rhinovirus diversity |journal=Lancet Infect Dis |volume=9 |issue=5 |page=278 |year=2009 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(09)70123-9}}</ref>

Regular hand washing appears to be effective in reducing the transmission of cold viruses, especially among children.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Jefferson |first1=Tom |last2=Dooley |first2=Liz |last3=Ferroni |first3=Eliana |last4=Al-Ansary |first4=Lubna A. |last5=van Driel |first5=Mieke L. |last6=Bawazeer |first6=Ghada A. |last7=Jones |first7=Mark A. |last8=Hoffmann |first8=Tammy C. |last9=Clark |first9=Justin |last10=Beller |first10=Elaine M. |last11=Glasziou |first11=Paul P. |last12=Conly |first12=John M. |date=30 January 2023 |title=Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=CD006207 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub6 |issn=1469-493X |pmc=9885521 |pmid=36715243}}</ref> Whether the addition of [[antiviral drug|antivirals]] or [[antibacterial]]s to normal hand washing provides greater benefit is unknown.<ref name=":0" /> Wearing face masks when around people who are infected may be beneficial; however, there is insufficient evidence for maintaining a greater [[social distancing|social distance]].<ref name=":0" />

It is unclear whether [[Zinc#Biological role|zinc]] supplements affect the likelihood of contracting a cold.<ref name=Cochrane2013>{{cite journal |vauthors=Singh M, Das RR |title=Zinc for the common cold |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=6 |pages=CD001364 |date=June 2013 |pmid=23775705 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4 |veditors=Singh M}}{{Retracted|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub5|pmid=25924708|http://retractionwatch.com/2015/10/07/concerns-cause-cochrane-to-withdraw-review-on-zinc-for-colds/ ''Retraction Watch''|intentional=yes}}</ref>