It was a decade of the 21st century, and scientists are closer to the goal more difficult to achieve: a medicine against cold. If anything, the cold virus appears more formidable than ever.

Until recently, scientists believed there were more than 100 varieties of rhinovirus, the most common cause of colds. Well, I have discovered with the help of modern screening tests, a whole new group of rhinoviruses. Beginning in May of look like there are more than 200 cold viruses, says cold expert Owen Hendley, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and one of the leading experts in the world for the cold virus.

The large number of different cold viruses is why we keep the cold months of the season. Americans on average three to four colds a year, surveys showed. Children average six rhinovirus infections annually. (This explains why people have children or spend time with them at increased risk of colds.) But Hendley, who studied the transmission of cold for over two decades, there are simple ways to improve your chances of avoiding seasonal scourge.

How to avoid coldeve not find a medicine against colds, researchers are much more common than viruses such as cold learned. Scientists initially believed that colds are transmitted when infected people cough or sneeze, sending tiny droplets of aerosolized virus in the air, where they can be inhaled by the next victims of the cold. But research during the last ten years shows that far more likely to take a cold virus, literally, by contact with contaminated surfaces.

We catch a cold when one considers the virus in their fingers and then either touch the nose or eyes, welcoming the two entry points for viruses. From there they reach rapid cold virus nasal cavity, where they start to bite, and proliferation.

Rhinovirus can survive on doorknobs, table tops, handles and other commercial areas for 24 hours or more,  said Hendley.

In a clever experiment Hendley and colleagues had to spend the cold night in a hotel room, and then asked to identify what Theyd affected during their stay, 35% of what touches - including door knobs, pens, light switches, TV remotes, taps and telephones - have been shown to be infected with a virus cold.

The study also showed how easily the virus can then be continued by others. When the volunteers after contact with contaminated surfaces Theyd one hour, the virus has spread to 60% by the hand of time. A full 18 hours after infection, transmission occurred in 33% of the time. A study Hendley monitoring team arrives in homes that are about the same percentage of contaminated land.