Every year, American citizens get roughly 1 billion common colds. In fact, the average child catches between six and 10 colds a year. Usually rest is the best way to combat this unwanted sickness, but what if you’re standing at the top of a mountain preparing to represent your country on the biggest stage in the world?
The 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea have kicked off and every athlete is having to compete against the common cold in addition to each other.
According to The New York Times, every athlete has been attempting to avoid catching the common cold as well as reading up on the norovirus outbreak (139 cases as of February 10th).
Koreans walking around with white face masks are not an uncommon sight in Pyeongchang — there are even instructional signs all over the Winter Games with steps on how to properly cough and avoid the spearing of germs. Many Olympians are very aware of their vulnerabilities during the Games because of all the athletes coming together from all over the world, some bearing foreign diseases.
“I have my own apartment,” said Johanna Matintalo, a Finnish cross-country skier. “I should be with my four teammates, in this apartment with five rooms, but they want to wait to make sure that I’m 100% [healthy]. I don’t touch the big spoon unless I’m wearing gloves.”
It’s best for every attending athlete, coach, media member, and fan to practice proper hygiene and use natural remedies to fight the common cold and ensure that it doesn’t spread to any worse disease.
Here are a few natural remedies to combat a cold everyone from the average person in America to a world-class Olympian in Pyeongchang should be aware of:
- Apple Cider Vinegar — The taste might be off-putting, but this product can actually improve health and balance the body’s pH levels.
- Turmeric — Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this remedy can be used to fight common cold symptoms like a bad cough, headache, sore throats, and congestion.
- Ginger — Ginger can boost the immune system as well as treat bad coughs, upper respiratory infections, and asthma.
