The average person comes down with three colds a year, each lasting for about nine days. There is still no cure but the following advice may help.
Take time off work, because your body will fight off the cold virus better if it is well rested. However, if you have to work, avoid close contact with your co-workers as the virus is contagious. Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel. Non-sedating allergy medications, which you can buy from a chemist, can decrease drowsiness and also alleviate the problems of a runny nose, watery eyes and blocked sinuses.
As soon as you feel a cold coming on, boost your fluid intake. Water or juice is ideal but hot herbal teas with lemon will help thin mucus and expel it from the body. A warm gargle with salt water will relieve a scratchy throat by reducing inflammation and clearing mucus and irritants. It also flushes out bacteria and viruses so it can be used as a preventative measure as well.
The warm moisture generated by a hot shower or bath will soothe and clear nasal passages. Inhaling steam over a bowl of hot water relieves congested sinuses, too. For a tickly cough, the latest research suggests that honey, either straight from the jar or dissolved in a hot drink, works as well if not better than costly lozenges and sprays.
A good diet is essential for a quick recovery, so start the day with a healthy breakfast including vitamin C in the form of fresh fruit or berries. For lunch, chicken soup is good, but be sure to add chunks of lean chicken meat, for protein helps build immune cells. Not only is this the perfect comfort food but it has been proven to be medicinally beneficial. For dinner, a spicy curry makes a good decongestant and some ingredients (ginger, garlic, chilli) are recognised as being anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
A little light exercise is beneficial, as this will enhance your emotional wellbeing, but don't attempt anything too strenuous. Finally, to recharge your body and regain your strength, you need a full eight hours' sleep.
According to the passage, people coming down with the common cold should take the following advice EXCEPT ______.
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take time off work
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have no direct contact with co-workers
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drink more water, juice, hot herbal teas with lemon
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do strenuous exercise
Đáp án: do strenuous exercise
Giải thích:
Theo đoạn văn, những người bị cảm lạnh thông thường nên thực hiện lời khuyên sau đây NGOẠI TRỪ ______.
A. nghỉ làm việc
B. không tiếp xúc trực tiếp với đồng nghiệp
C. uống nhiều nước, nước trái cây, trà thảo mộc nóng với chanh
D. tập thể dục vất vả
Thông tin đáp án A, B:
Take time off work, because your body will fight off the cold virus better if it is well rested. However, if you have to work, avoid close contact with your co-workers as the virus is contagious. (Hãy nghỉ làm vì cơ thể bạn sẽ chống lại vi-rút cảm lạnh tốt hơn nếu được nghỉ ngơi đầy đủ. Tuy nhiên, nếu bạn phải làm việc, hãy tránh tiếp xúc gần với đồng nghiệp vì vi rút rất dễ lây lan.)
Thông tin đáp án C:
As soon as you feel a cold coming on, boost your fluid intake. Water or juice is ideal but hot herbal teas with lemon will help thin mucus and expel it from the body. (Ngay khi bạn cảm thấy sắp bị cảm lạnh, hãy tăng cường lượng chất lỏng nạp vào cơ thể. Nước lọc hoặc nước trái cây là lý tưởng nhưng các loại trà thảo mộc nóng với chanh sẽ giúp làm loãng chất nhờn và đào thải chất này ra khỏi cơ thể.)