Cold blesses us all

It's November，the time of year when people often get blessed more．This is not because God likes cold weather，nor because others are fee ling generous with Thanksgiving just around the corner．（16）

___Colds and the flu are the most common illnesses people get in autumn and winter as the weather gets colder．They are all caused by viruses，but colds are generally milder-you'll feel annoyed but not as if you want to die．

Teenagers catch average six to ten colds a year，according to statistics from the Ministry of Health，while adults average two to four．More than 200 viruses cause cold symptoms．（17）___ You can be contagious（传染的）one day before symptoms develop and for up to five days after becoming sick．

The signature symptom of a cold is a runny nose．The flu will make you burn with fever，ache all over，feel extremely tired and cough intensely．The flu can sometimes lead to more serious diseases，such as pneumonia．

（18）___A doctor can test you to see whether you have the flu in the first few days of the illness．But some treatments for both are pretty much the same：

●（19）___ Many doctors consider water a weapon against the common cold．It helps your blood drive off viruses and flood them out．

●Keep warm．You might be cold one minute and hot the next，and wearing several layers is very important．

●Wash your hands frequently．You don't want to make it worse by spreading the flu to everyone else．Also，avoid sharing cups and eating utensil s（餐具） with other people．

（20）___ But if your flu symptoms get worse，go to a hospital or clinic right away．

A．You can pass on the flu before you even know you have it．

B．Drink lots of water．

C．Taking medicine on time is a good way to prevent the illness．

D．"Bless you!"is a common response to sneezes，the symptom of catching a cold or the flu．

E．Get lots of sleep and take it easy．